Information providing method, information providing system, terminal apparatus, and storage medium storing information providing program

ABSTRACT

An information providing method, information providing system, terminal apparatus, and storage medium storing an information providing program, which enable to extract actually desired information and appropriately extract information desired next, are provided. A predetermined code is input from a P service terminal ( 100 ). A P service server ( 200 ) searches the first database for first information corresponding to the code and extracts the information. When a predetermined condition is satisfied, second information is searched for from the second database and extracted. The extracted second information is attached to the first information. The first information or the first information having the second information is returned to the P service terminal ( 100 ).

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a method and system for providinginformation to a user, a storage medium therefor, and a terminalapparatus used therefor.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Along with the recent development of communication technology, thefollowing methods have been used to provide information to users.

1: Internet Web

2: Internet push-type news distribution service

3: FAX information extraction service

4: Sending material requesting coupons attached to newspapers/magazines

5: Inquiry by free dials

6: Sending material requesting postcards

As portable information terminals are being widely used, informationproviding services using character information are becoming active.However, since a portable terminal has a limited display ability insize, colors, and resolution, a demand has arisen for a detailinformation providing service capable of compensating for it.

The above methods are conventionally used to acquire detail information,though they have limitations.

Methods 1 and 2 are limited to PC or terminal users well versed in theInternet environment, and it is also time-consuming to find a URLnecessary for access to desired information. Method 3 is limited to FAXusers. In addition, the print ability (monochrome printing and printpreview) is limited, and the output cost (telephone charge or cost ofpaper) is for the users to bear. Methods 4, 5, and 6 are available formany and unspecified users. However, a user can acquire informationseveral hours or several days after the request. The informationprovider side must also prepare a physical request processing system,resulting in an increase in information providing cost.

As described above, the prior art cannot propose an informationproviding method which allows a user to always extract actually desiredinformation and also appropriately extract information desired next.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been proposed to solve the problem of theabove prior art.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention ischaracterized in that in providing information to a user, a code isinput, first information corresponding to the input code is searched andextracted from a first database, when a predetermined condition issatisfied, second information is searched and extracted from a seconddatabase, the extracted second information is attached to the firstinformation, and the first information or first information having thesecond information is output.

When the predetermined condition is satisfied, the second information isadded to the first information and provided to the user. This copes withvarious users' requests for information and simultaneously ensuresvarious information distribution routes on the information providerside. That is, many kinds of information can be provided to the user,and the information provider side also enables to transfer more desiredinformation to the user.

According to the present invention, there is also provided a method forextracting mail addressed to a user from a mail server, characterized bycomprising the step of sending an input user identifier to the mailserver, the extraction step of extracting mail selected by the user fromthe mail server, the determination step of determining whether anotherinformation corresponding to the user is to be searched for andextracted, the attachment step of, upon determining that the otherinformation corresponding to the user is to be extracted, extracting theother information and attaching the information to the mail, the step ofoutputting the mail having the other information, and the printing stepof printing the output mail.

According to the present invention, there is also provided a system forproviding information to a user, characterized by comprising input meansfor inputting a code, extraction means for searching a first databasefor first information corresponding to the input code and extracting thefirst information, attachment means for, when a predetermined conditionis satisfied, searching a second database for second information,extracting the second information, and attaching the extracted secondinformation to the first information, and output means for outputtingthe first information or the first information having the secondinformation.

According to the present invention, there is also provided a system forextracting mail addressed to a user from a mail server, characterized bycomprising means for sending an input user identifier to the mailserver, means for extracting mail selected by the user from the mailserver, determination means for determining whether another informationcorresponding to the user is to be searched for and extracted,attachment means for, upon determining that the other informationcorresponding to the user is to be extracted, extracting the otherinformation and attaching the information to the mail, output means foroutputting the mail having the other information, and printing means forprinting the output mail.

According to the present invention, there is also provided acomputer-readable storage medium which stores an information providingprogram for providing information to a user, characterized by comprisingthe input step of inputting a code, the extraction step of searching afirst database for first information corresponding to the input code andextracting the first information, the attachment step of, when apredetermined condition is satisfied, searching a second database forsecond information, extracting the second information, and attaching theextracted second information to the first information, and the step ofoutputting the first information or the first information having thesecond information.

According to the present invention, there is also provided acomputer-readable storage medium which stores a mail extraction programfor extracting mail addressed to a user from a mail server,characterized by comprising the step of sending an input user identifierto the mail server, the extraction step of extracting mail selected bythe user from the mail server, the determination step of determiningwhether another information corresponding to the user is to be searchedfor and extracted, the attachment step of, upon determining that theanother information corresponding to the user is to be extracted,extracting the another information and attaching the information to themail, the step of outputting the mail having the another information,and the printing step of controlling to print the output mail.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparentfrom the following description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate thesame or similar parts throughout the figures thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and,together with the description, serve to explain the principles of theinvention.

FIG. 1 is a view for explaining the schematic arrangement of a P servicesystem according to an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a view showing the schematic appearance of a P serviceterminal 100 according to this embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a bloc k diagram showing the control arrangement of the Pservice terminal 100;

FIG. 4 is a view showing the schematic appearance of a portable terminal400 capable of transmitting a P-code to the P service terminal;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram for explaining the control arrangement of theportable terminal 400;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the schematic arrangement of a Pservice server 200;

FIG. 7 is a view showing a data structure example of an IP informationregistration table;

FIG. 8 is a view showing a data structure example of an advertisementinformation table;

FIG. 9 is a view showing a data structure example of a user informationtable;

FIG. 10 is a view showing a data structure example of a mail serviceP-code table;

FIG. 11 is a view showing a data structure example of a distributionservice P-code table;

FIG. 12 is a view showing a data structure example of a personalinformation service P-code table;

FIG. 13 is a view showing a data structure example of a personalinformation table;

FIG. 14 is a view showing a data structure example of an ownerinformation table;

FIG. 15 is a view showing a data structure example of a terminalinformation table;

FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing the typical arrangement of an IPserver 300;

FIG. 17 is a view for explaining the data structure of a P-code used inthe P service system according to this embodiment;

FIG. 18 is a view showing the data structure of a P-code;

FIG. 19 is a flow chart for explaining the outline of processing by theP service server of this embodiment;

FIG. 20 is a flow chart for explaining the outline of processing by theP service server of this embodiment;

FIG. 21 is a flow chart of user registration processing;

FIG. 22 is a dialog box for new registration processing;

FIG. 23 is a dialog box corresponding to a “name/address” button 1000;

FIG. 24 is a dialog box corresponding to a “password” button 1010;

FIG. 25 is a dialog box corresponding to a “place of employment” button1020;

FIG. 26 is a dialog box corresponding to a “credit card” button 1030;

FIG. 27 is a dialog box corresponding to a “service” button 1040;

FIG. 28 is a dialog box corresponding to a “personal information” button1050;

FIG. 29 is a dialog box corresponding to a “personal information 2”button 1060;

FIG. 30 is a dialog box corresponding to a “desired information” button1070;

FIG. 31 is a dialog box corresponding to a “printing paper” button 1080;

FIG. 32 is a dialog box for registration change processing;

FIG. 33 is a dialog box for password change;

FIG. 34 is a flow chart of IP information registration processing;

FIG. 35 is a dialog box for confirming a member;

FIG. 36 is a dialog box for inputting member's password;

FIG. 37 is a dialog box for specifying a nonmember;

FIG. 38 is a dialog box for inviting registration of a member;

FIG. 39 is a dialog box for setting charging;

FIG. 40 is a dialog box for designating IP information;

FIG. 41 is a dialog box for designating IP information;

FIG. 42 is a dialog box showing a preview window;

FIG. 43 is a dialog box when file transfer progresses;

FIG. 44 is a dialog box for setting a property;

FIG. 45 is a dialog box for setting another property;

FIG. 46 is a dialog box for setting still another property;

FIG. 47 is a dialog box for setting still another property;

FIG. 48 is a dialog box for confirming a password;

FIG. 49 is a dialog box for setting still another property;

FIG. 50 is a dialog box for setting still another property;

FIG. 51 is a dialog box for setting still another property;

FIG. 52A is a dialog box for setting still another property;

FIG. 52B is a dialog box for setting still another property;

FIG. 52C is a dialog box for setting still another property;

FIG. 53 is a dialog box for displaying the list of input items;

FIG. 54 is a flow chart of advertisement information registrationprocessing;

FIG. 55 is a dialog box for confirming a member;

FIG. 56 is a dialog box for inputting a member's password;

FIG. 57 is a dialog box for specifying a nonmember;

FIG. 58 is a dialog box for designating advertisement information;

FIG. 59 is as dialog box showing a preview window;

FIG. 60 is a dialog box when file transfer progresses;

FIG. 61 is a dialog box for setting a property;

FIG. 62 is a dialog box for setting another property;

FIG. 63 is a dialog box for setting still another property;

FIG. 64 is a dialog box for setting still another property;

FIG. 65 is a dialog box for setting still another property;

FIG. 66 is a dialog box for setting still another property;

FIG. 67 is a dialog box for setting still another property;

FIG. 68 is a dialog box showing the list of input items;

FIG. 69 is a dialog box for printing registered items;

FIG. 70 is a flow chart for explaining the personal P-code issueprocedure in step S111;

FIG. 71 is a flow chart for explaining a procedure in which the P serverassigns the external code of a P-code to another site;

FIG. 72 is a view showing the data structure of an P-code useregistration table used in this embodiment;

FIG. 73 is a view showing the data structure of a P-code use table;

FIG. 74 is a flow chart for explaining IP-code issue processing;

FIG. 75 is a view showing an example of the display window displayed ona touch panel 104 of the P service terminal 100 of this embodiment;

FIG. 76 is a view showing another example of the display windowdisplayed on the touch panel 104 of the P service terminal 100 of thisembodiment;

FIG. 77 is a view showing still another example of the display windowdisplayed on the touch panel 104 of the P service terminal 100 of thisembodiment;

FIG. 78 is a view showing still another example of the display windowdisplayed on the touch panel 104 of the P service terminal 100 of thisembodiment;

FIG. 79 is a view showing still another example of the display windowdisplayed on the touch panel 104 of the P service terminal 100 of thisembodiment;

FIG. 80 is a view showing still another example of the display windowdisplayed on the touch panel 104 of the P service terminal 100 of thisembodiment;

FIG. 81 is a view showing still another example of the display windowdisplayed on the touch panel 104 of the P service terminal 100 of thisembodiment;

FIG. 82 is a view showing still another example of the display windowdisplayed on the touch panel 104 of the P service terminal 100 of thisembodiment;

FIG. 83 is a view showing still another example of the display windowdisplayed on the touch panel 104 of the P service terminal 100 of thisembodiment;

FIG. 84 is a view showing still another example of the display windowdisplayed on the touch panel 104 of the P service terminal 100 of thisembodiment;

FIG. 85 is a view showing still another example of the display windowdisplayed on the touch panel 104 of the P service terminal 100 of thisembodiment;

FIG. 86 is a view showing still another example of the display windowdisplayed on the touch panel 104 of the P service terminal 100 of thisembodiment;

FIG. 87 is a view showing still another example of the display windowdisplayed on the touch panel 104 of the P service terminal 100 of thisembodiment;

FIG. 88 is a view showing still another example of the display windowdisplayed on the touch panel 104 of the P service terminal 100 of thisembodiment;

FIG. 89 is a view showing still another example of the display windowdisplayed on the touch panel 104 of the P service terminal 100 of thisembodiment;

FIG. 90 is a view showing still another example of the display windowdisplayed on the touch panel 104 of the P service terminal 100 of thisembodiment;

FIG. 91 is a view showing still another example of the display windowdisplayed on the touch panel 104 of the P service terminal 100 of thisembodiment;

FIG. 92 is a view showing still another example of the display windowdisplayed on the touch panel 104 of the P service terminal 100 of thisembodiment;

FIG. 93 is a view showing still another example of the display windowdisplayed on the touch panel 104 of the P service terminal 100 of thisembodiment;

FIG. 94 is a view showing still another example of the display windowdisplayed on the touch panel 104 of the P service terminal 100 of thisembodiment;

FIG. 95 is a view showing still another example of the display windowdisplayed on the touch panel 104 of the P service terminal 100 of thisembodiment;

FIG. 96 is a view showing still another example of the display windowdisplayed on the touch panel 104 of the P service terminal 100 of thisembodiment;

FIG. 97 is a view showing still another example of the display windowdisplayed on the touch panel 104 of the P service terminal 100 of thisembodiment;

FIG. 98A is a flow chart showing a processing flow for executing theinformation service of this embodiment;

FIG. 98B is a view showing the processing sequence in a service systemfor executing the information service of this embodiment;

FIG. 99A is a flow chart showing a processing flow for executing themail service of this embodiment;

FIG. 99B is a view showing the processing sequence in the service systemfor executing the mail service of this embodiment;

FIG. 100A is a flow chart showing a processing flow for executing thedistribution service (reception of registered information) of thisembodiment;

FIG. 100B is a view showing the processing sequence in the servicesystem for executing the distribution service (reception of registeredinformation) of this embodiment;

FIG. 101A is a flow chart showing a processing flow for executing thepersonal information service of this embodiment;

FIG. 101B is a view showing the processing sequence in the servicesystem for executing the personal information service of thisembodiment;

FIG. 102A is a flow chart showing a processing flow for executing thedistribution service (registration of information) of this embodiment;

FIG. 102B is a view showing the processing sequence in the servicesystem for executing the distribution service (registration ofinformation) of this embodiment;

FIG. 103A is a flow chart for explaining another form of P-codetransmission processing by the portable terminal of this embodiment;

FIG. 103B is a flow chart for explaining a procedure of acquiring IPinformation, mail data, and distribution data in the P service server200 of this embodiment;

FIG. 104 is a flow chart of advertisement search processing;

FIG. 105A is a view showing an example of a keyword list of IPinformation;

FIG. 105B is a view showing an example of a keyword list of userregistration;

FIG. 105C is a view showing an example of a keyword list of the Pservice terminal;

FIG. 105D is a view showing an example of a highest priority keywordlist;

FIG. 105E is a view showing an example of a lowest priority keywordlist;

FIG. 106A is a view showing an example of the search result list of anIP information list;

FIG. 106B is a view showing an example of the search result list of auser registration list;

FIG. 106C is a view showing an example of the search result list of a Pservice terminal list;

FIG. 106D is a view showing an example of the search result list of ahighest priority list;

FIG. 106E is a view showing an example of the search result list of alowest priority list;

FIG. 107A is a view showing an example of the search result list of therearranged IP information list;

FIG. 107B is a view showing an example of the search result list of therearranged user registration list;

FIG. 107C is a view showing an example of the search result list of therearranged P service terminal list;

FIG. 107D is a view showing an example of the search result list of therearranged highest priority list;

FIG. 107E is a view showing an example of the search result list of therearranged lowest priority list;

FIG. 108 is a flow chart for explaining P-code extraction processing ofthe portable terminal of this embodiment;

FIG. 109 is a flow chart for explaining automatic P-code extractionprocessing in step S3113;

FIG. 110 is a flow chart for explaining P-code transmission processingby the portable terminal of this embodiment; and

FIG. 111 is a flow chart for explaining another form of P-codetransmission processing by the portable terminal of this embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described indetail in accordance with the accompanying drawings.

<System Arrangement>

A service system (to be referred to as a P service system hereinafter)to be described in this embodiment has a plurality of service terminals(to be referred to as P service terminals hereinafter) installed inshops or stations and a dedicated service server (to be referred to as aP service server hereinafter) connected to the P service terminals. Whena code (to be referred to as a P-code hereinafter) in a predeterminedform is input from a P service terminal, corresponding information isacquired from the P service server, and the print of necessaryinformation is obtained. Note that designation of a P-code to a Pservice terminal can be done by unspecified users.

FIG. 1 is a view showing the schematic arrangement of the P servicesystem according to this embodiment. Referring to FIG. 1, referencenumeral 100 denotes a P service terminal; and 200, a P service server.The P service terminal 100 communicates with the P service server,acquires information corresponding to a P-code input by a user, andprints the information. Alternatively, image information input in the Pservice terminal 100 can be uploaded to the P service server.

The P service terminal 100 can be a terminal installed for public use ina shop, street, or public facility. In this case, the P service terminal100 does not include a terminal used by only a specific person, e.g., aso-called personal computer used by a person at home.

The P service server 200 issues P-codes corresponding to providedinformation, registers the P-codes in a P-code database, and managesthem. The P service server 200 acquires information corresponding to aP-code input from the P service terminal 100, generates print data, andoutputs it to the P service terminal 100.

An information provider server 300 (to be referred to as an IP serverhereinafter) is, e.g., a general Internet provider. In response to aninformation request from the P service server 200, the IP server 300transmits information (contents) corresponding to the P-code attached tothe information request to the P service server 200. Additionally, aswill be described later, the P service server 200 sets a plurality ofusable P-codes in the IP server 300, and the IP server 300 can uniquelyissue a P-code in correspondence with information provided from a userterminal within the range of the usable P-codes.

FIG. 1 shows a system in which the P service server 200 and IP server300 independently function, and information can be transmitted/receivedthrough a communication network. However, a system in which the Pservice server 200 incorporates the IP server 300, and the function ofthe IP server is realized by the P service server may be constructed.

When the P-code of information managed on the IP server 300 side isinput from the P service terminal 100, the P service server 200 finds acorresponding IP server from the P-code and transmits the P-code to thisIP server to request information.

A portable terminal 400 is, e.g., a portable telephone. The IP server300 notifies a P service terminal user (to be simply referred to as auser hereinafter) of a P-code informed from the P service server 200 byinserting the P-code on media 610 such as newspapers and magazines ordescribing the P-code in mail information transmitted to the user'sportable terminal 400 using a portable telephone mail service 600. Whenthe user inputs the P-code attached to information of interest from theP service terminal 100, he/she can obtain the print of informationcorresponding to the P-code. The portable terminal 400 of thisembodiment can extract a P-code described in mail information, hold itin an internal memory, and input the held P-code to the P serviceterminal 100 by infrared communication or the like.

A service such as a mail service becomes available when personalregistration is done in the P service server 200. This registration canbe done from, e.g., a terminal of a user (user terminal 700) through aWeb. Instead, the user may fill a registration form with predetermineditems, and the operator of the P service server may perform registrationprocessing in accordance with the described contents.

In this embodiment, two kinds of information are provided by the IPserver 300 and registered/managed by the P service server 200. One isinformation (to be referred to as IP information hereinafter) providedto a user with or without charge on the basis of P-code designation bythe user from the P service terminal 100 or the like. The other isinformation (to be referred to as advertisement information hereinafter)automatically selected by the P service server and attached toinformation (e.g., IP information) acquired in accordance with P-codeinput by the user.

As examples of services realized in the above-described P servicesystem, the following services will be mainly described in thisembodiment. (1) User registration: a personal P-code is given inaccordance with registration application from the user terminal 700 tothe P service server. (2) IP information registration: in accordancewith IP information registration application from the IP server 300, IPinformation is registered in the P service server 200, and a P-code forthe IP is given. (3) Advertisement information registration: inaccordance with an advertisement information registration application,advertisement information is registered in the P service server 200. (4)Information service: by inputting the P-code (P-code for the IP) ofdesired information from the P service terminal 100, a print output ofthe desired information is obtained. (5) Mail service: by inputting theuser's P-code (personal P-code) from the P service terminal 100, mailaddressed to the user is printed. (6) Personal information service: byinputting the user's P-code from the P service terminal 100, a printoutput of information set/registered for the user in advance isobtained. (7) Distribution service: desired information is uploaded fromthe P service terminal 100 to the P service server 200 in advance andprinted from the P service terminal 100 as needed.

Each of these services will be described later in detail. The servicesand functions realized by the P service system of this embodiment arenot limited to the above-described services and functions.

<Arrangement of P Service Terminal>

FIG. 2 is a view showing the schematic appearance of the P serviceterminal 100 of this embodiment. Referring to FIG. 2, a printer 101forms a visible color image by, e.g., a laser beam scheme. A scanner 102optically reads an original image and converts it into digital imagedata. The printing scheme of the printer 101 is not limited to the laserbeam scheme, and any other scheme such as a thermal transfer scheme orink-jet printing scheme can be used. Using the printer 101 and scanner102, the service terminal 100 can also be made to function as a copyingmachine. A main unit 103 controls communication with the P serviceserver 200 or communication with the portable terminal 400 and performsvarious operation inputs and display corresponding to variousoperations.

In the main unit 103, a touch panel 104 receives an operation input by auser and presents various information to the user. An infraredcommunication section 105 is used to receive a P-code from a portableterminal having an infrared communication function by infraredcommunication. When a portable terminal is connected to a portableterminal connector 106, data (P-code) stored in the memory of theportable terminal is read out by the P service terminal 100. When aP-code is provided in a form of a bar code, a bar code reader 107 isused to read the bar code to acquire the P-code.

A disk unit 108 reads/writes data from/in a medium such as a floppy diskor MO disk. A settlement unit 110 performs settlement for theabove-described various services. As a settlement method, variousmethods including settlement using cash or a credit card are available.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the control arrangement of the Pservice terminal 100. The same reference numerals as in FIG. 2 denotethe same parts in FIG. 3. A communication section 124 is connected tothe P service server 200 through, e.g., a telephone line to performcommunication.

A control section 120 controls each construction described withreference to FIG. 2. In the control section 120, a CPU 121 realizesvarious control operations in the P service terminal 100 in accordancewith control programs stored in a memory 122. User I/F control 122 acontrols execution of each of the following programs in accordance witha user's operation instruction input through the touch panel 104.Information service processing 122 b, mail service processing 122 c,personal information service processing 122 d, and distribution serviceprocessing 122 e realize the above-described various services, i.e.,information service, mail service, personal information service, anddistribution service, respectively. Settlement processing 122 f realizessettlement processing using the settlement unit 110.

<Arrangement of Portable Terminal>

FIG. 4 is a view showing the schematic appearance of the portableterminal 400 capable of transmitting a P-code to the P service terminal100. Like a general portable telephone, the portable terminal 400 has aliquid crystal display 410 and dial buttons and functions as a portabletelephone. The portable terminal 400 can receive mail and displays itscontents on the liquid crystal display 410. The cursor in the liquidcrystal display can be moved using a left cursor 401 and right cursor402 and can select a desired block in mail in cooperation with a blockdesignation key 404. When a P-code key 403 is pressed while a certainblock in mail is kept selected, data in the selected block is stored inthe internal memory as a P-code. Instead, the P-code may beautomatically searched for, extracted, and stored in the memory bypressing the P-code key 403 in a mail displayed state. Details of theseoperations will be described later with reference to FIGS. 108 to 111.

An infrared communication section 405 outputs a P-code stored in theinternal memory by infrared rays. The infrared rays output from theinfrared communication section 405 are received by the infraredcommunication section 105 of the P service terminal 100 and recognizedas a P-code. The portable terminal 400 also has a communicationconnector on its bottom surface so as to exchange telephone numberinformation between the terminal and a personal computer.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram for explaining the control arrangement of theportable terminal 400. Referring to FIG. 5, a telephone function section423 has functions necessary for communication processing as a portabletelephone, including a loudspeaker, microphone, and radio communicationfunctions. A communication connector 424 is generally used to connectthe portable terminal to a personal computer and upload or download atelephone number or the like. In this embodiment, when the communicationconnector 424 is connected to the portable terminal connector 106 of theP service terminal 100, a P-code can be transferred to the P serviceterminal 100. A button group 425 corresponds to the group of variousoperation buttons described with reference to FIG. 4 (including the dialbutton group).

A control section 420 realizes control of the constructions describedwith reference to FIG. 4 or various control operations in the portableterminal 400 in accordance with control programs stored in a memory 422.Of the programs stored in the memory 422, portable terminal control 422a is a program unit for realizing a function as a normal portabletelephone. P-code extraction processing 422 b is a program unit for theprocess of extracting a P-code from received mail and storing the P-codein a P-code storage area 422 c. As described above, to extract a P-code,data in a manually selected block is extracted as a P-code, or a P-codeis automatically identified and extracted from mail data. P-codetransmission processing 422 d is a program unit for transmitting aP-code stored in the P-code storage area 422 c to the P service terminalthrough the infrared communication section 405 or communicationconnector 424.

<Arrangement of P Service Server>

The P service server 200 will be described next. FIG. 6 is a blockdiagram showing the schematic arrangement of the P service server 200. Acontrol section 201 has a CPU 202 and memory 203. The CPU 202 realizesvarious services in the P service server 200 in accordance with controlprograms stored in the memory 203. The memory 203 stores the controlprograms to be executed by the CPU 202. Information registrationprocessing 203 a is a program module for registering, e.g., IPinformation, advertisement information, user information (personalinformation), the distribution data. P-code issue processing 203 b is aprogram module for assigning a P-code for specifying each registeredinformation. Service processing 203 c acquires IP information,advertisement information, mail data, or distribution data or registersdistribution data in accordance with a P-code transmitted from the Pservice terminal 100. Advertisement search processing 203 d searches foradvertisement information to be attached to a print output in the Pservice terminal. By attaching advertisement information, theinformation output charge is canceled by advertisement charges to reducethe cost for the user to bear in outputting information (printing). Dataoutput processing 203 e attaches advertisement information obtained byadvertisement search processing to information obtained on the basis ofa P-code input from the P service terminal 100, lays out the pieces ofinformation on a printing paper sheet, and generates and outputs printdata.

A communication section 204 is connected to the P service terminalthrough a line or to each IP server 300 through a Web.

A P-code database 205 stores a table group 205 a associated with P-codesand entity 205 b of contents. The table group 205 a includes an IPinformation registration table (FIG. 7), advertisement information table(FIG. 8), user information table (FIG. 9), mail service P-code table(FIG. 10), distribution service P-code table (FIG. 11), personalinformation service P-code table (FIG. 12), personal information table(FIG. 13), owner information table (FIG. 14), and terminal informationtable (FIG. 15).

FIG. 7 is a view showing a data structure example of the IP informationregistration table. An IP information registration table 220 isgenerated and recorded when IP information is registered. In the IPinformation registration table 220, an identification section, basicproperties, and entity information are registered in correspondence withan assigned P-code. The identification section stores informationrepresenting the structure of the P-code (whether a subcode is present,and when the P-code is linked to another P-code, informationrepresenting the linked P-code). For a P-code having subcodes, aplurality of types of P-codes with subcodes can be registered for theP-code. As shown in FIG. 11, each subcode table has the sameidentification section, basic properties, and entity information asthose of the IP information registration table. Subcode tables areprepared in units of P-codes having subcodes, i.e., in numberscorresponding to the number of P-codes having subcodes, and stored. Thebasic properties store information representing the owner of the IPinformation and article insertion condition. The basic propertiesinclude a “keyword list” and “keyword weight list” which are used by theadvertisement search processing 203 d (details will be described later).The entity information specifies the entity data of the IP informationand includes the path and file name of an entity file.

In the P service system of this embodiment, the IP server 300 can issuea P-code within an allowable range. Hence, IP information is registeredby the P service server 200 or IP server 300. A server which hasregistered IP information holds the contents and IP informationregistration table. That is, the entity of IP information and IPinformation registration table are present in the P service server 200or IP server 300.

FIG. 8 is a view showing a data structure example of the advertisementinformation table. The advertisement information table is generated andrecorded when an advertiser registers advertisement information. Theadvertisement properties, link, and entity file information of theadvertisement information are stored in correspondence with an assignedP-code. The advertisement properties store information representing theowner of the advertisement information and insertion conditions of theadvertisement information. The “link information to IP information” ofthe advertisement properties stores a target keyword list and targetkeyword weight list used in the advertisement search processing 203 d.

The “link” stores the P-code of advertisement information to be linked.In the “entity file information”, the path name and file name forspecifying the file of the advertisement information are registered. Theentity of the advertisement information can be present in either the Pservice server or IP service server. However, the advertisementinformation table is always stored in the P-code database 205 of the Pservice server 200. When the entity of advertisement information ispresent in the IP service server, information for specifying the IPservice server is included in the entity file information of theadvertisement information table (in this embodiment, the IP server isspecified by the P-code, and this will be described later).

FIG. 9 is a view showing a data structure example of a user informationtable. The user information table is generated and recorded when theuser registers himself/herself as a member of the P service system andincludes a user profile, personal information, mail service information,distribution service information, and personal information serviceinformation. In the user profile is information representing the addressand objects of interest of the user. The “personal information table” inthe user profile stores pointers to the personal information table inwhich the personal secret matters including the address, name, telephonenumber, and credit card number of the user are registered, as shown inFIG. 13. In the mail service information, distribution serviceinformation, and personal information service information, informationnecessary for the mail print service, distribution service, and personalinformation service are registered, respectively.

FIG. 10 is a view showing a data structure example of a P-code table forthe mail service. As shown in FIG. 10, in correspondence with the P-codefor the mail service, a “mail properties” representing the subject(title) and sender of mail and entity file information representing thefile of mail data are registered. Referring to FIG. 10, the P-code has aparent code section “telephone number” and attached section (suffix(also to be spelled as “surfix”)) “# number”. The subcode herein meansthe “number” section in the attached section.

FIG. 11 is a view showing a data structure example of a P-code table forthe distribution service. As shown in FIG. 11, in correspondence withthe P-code for the distribution service, the “distribution informationproperties” representing the title, valid dates of the distributioninformation, and the password given to the distribution information, andentity file information representing the distribution information fileare registered. Referring to FIG. 11, the P-code has a parent codesection “telephone number” and attached section (surfix) “-number”. Thesubcode herein means the “number” section in the attached section.

FIG. 12 is a view showing a data structure example of a P-code table forthe personal information service. As shown in FIG. 12, in correspondencewith the P-code for the personal information service, the “personalinformation properties” representing the title and final print date and“registered P-code information” representing the list of registeredP-codes are registered. The P-code list is a P-code group which is setand registered by the user in advance. Referring to FIG. 12, the P-codehas a parent code section “telephone number” and attached section(surfix) “## number”. The subcode herein means the “number” section inthe attached section.

FIG. 13 is a view showing a data structure example of a personalinformation table. The personal information table is contained in theuser information table, as described above with reference to FIG. 9.

FIG. 14 is a view showing a data structure example of an ownerinformation table. This table is linked to the IP informationregistration table shown in FIG. 7, and is the “owner ID” in theadvertisement information table shown in FIG. 8. As shown in FIG. 14,information associated with the owner (information provider oradvertiser) is registered.

FIG. 15 is a view showing a data structure example of a terminalinformation table. The terminal information table is held for each Pservice terminal.

<Arrangement of IP Server>

FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing the typical arrangement of the IPserver 300. Referring to FIG. 16, a control section 301 has a CPU 302and memory 303 and executes various processing operations in the IPserver 300. A display 304 displays various data under the control of thecontrol section 301. An input section 305 comprises a pointing devicesuch as a keyboard or mouse. A data storage section 306 stores the“entity of IP information” registered in the P service system and “IPinformation registration table” associated with the IP information (theIP information registration table is the same as that shown in FIG. 7).A communication section 307 is connected to the P service server 200through a line or the like.

The IP server 300 acquires an available P-code value from the P serviceserver 200 and issues a P-code when IP information is registered fromthe user terminal. At this time, the entity of IP information and the IPinformation registration table are held by the data storage section 306.When an information request from the P service server 200 is received,the entity (contents) of the IP information is extracted in accordancewith the designated P-code and is transmitted to the P service server200.

<P-Code>

The P-code used to specify information or the like in this embodimentwill be described next.

FIG. 17 is a view for explaining the data structure of the P-code usedin the P service system according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG.17, the P-code can be divided into three sections: a “classificationsection”, “number section”, and “attached section”.

The classification section is a 16-bit code containing a P-code type bitrepresenting that the input P-code number is an IP P-code (informationP-Code) or personal P-code (personal user P-Code), version information,and country number. When a P-code number is input to the P serviceterminal 100, the contents of this classification section areautomatically attached by the terminal.

First, it is determined whether the input P-code is a personal P-code orIP P-code to set the P-code type bit. In this embodiment, a telephonenumber is used as the number section of the personal P-code. If thenumber input to the P service terminal 100 has 11 consecutive digits orless, it is determined that a telephone number is input, i.e., apersonal P-code is input, and the P-code type bit is set at “1”. On theother hand, if a number sequence hyphened in units of four digits (inunits of four numbers) is input as a P-code number, it is identifiedthat a nontelephone number is input, and the P-code type bit is set at“0”. Subsequently, version information is set, and a country numberrepresenting the country where the P service terminal is installed isset (when a country is designated from the P service terminal, thenumber of the designated country is set).

The number section has a number (to be referred to as a P-code numberhereinafter) directly input by the user. This is a number inserted to anewspaper, magazine, or homepage by the information provider. Note thata telephone number is used as a personal P-code number.

When the above-described P-code type bit is 1, i.e., a personal P-code,40 bits are allocated to the number section, as shown in FIG. 17, inwhich a numerical value represented by the telephone number is input.The remaining eight bits are used as an attached section.

On the other hand, when the flag bit is 0, i.e., an IP P-code, 39 bitsare allocated to the number section, as shown in FIG. 17, and theremaining nine bits are used as an attached section. Of the 39 bits ofthe number section, the first bit represents a P service serveridentification bit (1 bit), and the subsequent three bits represent aclass category. Since the P service server identification bit is 0 for asite except the P service server, only three bits representing a classcategory are contained in the first four bits, and the first digit ofthe P-code number represents a class category (numerical values 1 to 5).The class category has the same meaning as that of an IP address. Asshown in FIG. 17, numerical values 1 to 5 indicated by the three bitsrepresent five classes from minimum to maximum scales. For example, forclass 1 (minimum scale), 24 bits are used as a site identificationnumber (to also be referred to as an external code hereinafter), and theremaining 11 bits construct an ID code (to also be referred to as aninternal code hereinafter) freely usable in the site. When the classcategory is determined in accordance with the scale of an IP server, thenumber of P-codes assigned to the IP server is determined depending onthe scale of the IP server.

The attached section indicates the identification number of asubcategory of the contents identified by the above classificationsection+number section. For an information P-code, for example,“professional baseball game result” has categories “result of today”,“result of yesterday”, “result of day before yesterday”, . . . , and“tip on horse racing” has categories “site” and “race”. For a personalP-code, the attached section is used for a mail box number or personalinformation number.

Especially, in this embodiment, a plurality of types of “attachedsections” can be connected to one number section as suffixes. Whengrouping is designated for P-codes, the P-code can be linked to other IPinformation in units of suffixes. When the code of the number section isinput as a P-code, information having the maximum surfix value isselected and presented as IP information. This can cope with informationsuch as “results of professional baseball games of yesterday”, whichrequires frequent update and addition of information. Assume that a newresult of professional baseball game is generated. Next day, the gameresult of yesterday is grouped in correspondence with a P-code with anincremented surfix, thereby linking the P-code with the incrementedsurfix to the IP information of the game result. Hence, when a P-codenumber is designated to obtain the “result of professional baseball gameof yesterday”, information having the maximum surfix attached to theP-code number is extracted and presented to the user.

When a P-code has an attached section, it may be directly input by theuser. However, instead of directly inputting the number, the P-code withan attached section can be input by selecting it from a menu. Morespecifically, when the user inputs only the P-code number of a P-codehaving an attached section, the value of the corresponding P-code(number section+attached section) and its properties (title and thelike) are transmitted from the P service server to the P serviceterminal 100. The P service terminal 100 displays a selection list usingthe information on the touch panel 104 as a menu. When the user selectsa desired content from the selection list, a corresponding P-code(number section+attached section) is transmitted to the P serviceserver, and the selected content is sent to the P service terminal. Inthis embodiment, an example will be described, in which a personalP-code uses, as a number section, a numerical value input by the user asa “telephone number”, and as an attached section, a code formed from asequence of a “predetermined symbol” and “subcode”, and “#”, “-”, or“##” is used as the “predetermined symbol”. In this case, when thepersonal P-code is input, the “predetermined symbol” registered inadvance is detected from the P-code, and a service predetermined inaccordance with the type of the detected “predetermined symbol” isexecuted (a mail service for “#”, distribution service for “-”, andpersonal information service for “##”).

FIG. 18 shows the structure of the above P-code.

When a P-code is stored in the memory of a portable terminal, allconstituent elements (“classification section”, “number section”, and“attached section”) of the P-code are registered in the memory and inputto the P service terminal. This enables omission of an operation such asmenu selection, so load of the user can be reduced.

<Outline of Operation of System>

The outline of processing by the P service server of this embodimentwill be described next with reference to FIGS. 19 and 20.

In steps S101 to S109, processing to be executed is selected on thebasis of IP information, command, and P-code input from the P serviceterminal 100, IP server 300, or user terminal 700. For example, wheninput data is a user registration request, the flow advances from stepS102 to step S111 to issue a personal P-code and perform userregistration processing by the information registration processing 203 aand P-code issue processing 203 b. By this user registration processing,the user information table shown in FIG. 9 and personal informationtable shown in FIG. 13 are generated and registered. When an IPinformation registration request is input, the flow advances from stepS103 to step S112 to issue an IP P-code from P-codes assigned to the IPserver which is requested to register the IP information. In step S113,IP information registration processing is performed. By this IPinformation registration processing, the IP information registrationtable shown in FIG. 7 is generated and registered. When an advertisementinformation registration request is input, the flow advances from stepS104 to step S114 to issue a P-code. In step S115, advertisementinformation registration processing is executed. By this advertisementinformation registration processing, the advertisement information tableas shown in FIG. 8 is generated and registered in the P service server200.

When a P-code is input from the P service terminal 100, processingrequested by the P-code is determined from processing operations insteps S105 to S109. When the P-code is an IP P-code (the P-code type bitis 0), it is determined that the information service is requested. Theflow advances from step S105 to step S116 to acquire the entity andproperties of IP information from the P-code and generate preview data.When the P-code is a personal P-code (the P-code type bit is 1) and isregistered in the mail service information of the user informationtable, it is requested that the mail service is requested, and the flowadvances from step S106 to step S117. In step S117, the entity andproperties of mail data are acquired from the mail P-code table on thebasis of the P-code.

When the input P-code is a personal P-code and is registered in thepersonal information service information of the user information table(FIG. 9), it is determined that the personal information service isrequested, and the flow advances from step S107 to step S118. In stepS118, the list of IP P-codes is acquired by looking up the personalinformation service P-code table (FIG. 12), and IP information and theirproperties of all P-codes registered in this list are acquired.

When the input P-code is a personal P-code and is registered in thedistribution service information of the user information table, it isdetermined that data extraction in the distribution service isrequested, and the flow advances from step S108 to step S119. In stepS119, a password registered in correspondence with the data isrequested. It is determined by looking up the distribution serviceP-code table whether an authentic password is received, and the entityand properties of distribution data corresponding to the P-code areacquired.

When it is determined that distribution data registration in thedistribution service is requested, the flow advances from step S109 tostep S123 to execute distribution data registration processing includingP-code issue processing and processing of registering a passwordcorresponding to the data and notify the user of the data registrationand assigned P-code. In this case, a P-code in a form of a personalP-code (telephone number) having a subcode (surfix) is issued.

When necessary information is acquired in steps S116 to S119, layout ofacquired information to be printed on a paper sheet is determined instep S120. In step S121, advertisement information to be laid out in amargin on the paper sheet is acquired (advertisement information searchwill be described later). In step S122, the properties acquired in stepsS116 to S119 and preview data of the image of each page obtained insteps S120 and S121 are transmitted to the P service terminal. When aprint instruction is received from the P service terminal 100, printdata is generated and transmitted to the P service terminal 100. Theprinter 101 prints information on the basis of the print data.

<User Registration>

When the user wants to receive the mail service or personal informationservice in the P service system, user registration in the P serviceserver 200 is required in advance.

In user registration, at least matters for specifying the user must beregistered. Arbitrary matters for preferable reception of each serviceof the P service system can also be registered. Additionally, alreadyregistered matters can be changed.

The procedure of user registration will be described by exemplifying acase wherein user registration is done from the user terminal 700 of theuser through the Web.

When the user accesses user registration of the P service server 200from the user terminal 700, the P service server 200 executes userregistration processing in step S111.

FIG. 21 is a flow chart of user registration processing.

In this user registration processing, the P service server 200 displaysvarious windows for user registration on the display of the userterminal 700 and causes the user to sequentially input matters to beregistered by so-called GUI.

In step S1000, the P service server 200 determines whether the user hasselected new user registration or a change in user registration that hasbeen already performed. For the former processing, the flow advances tostep S1001. For the latter processing, the flow advances to step S1005.

In step S1001, new registration processing is performed. In this newregistration processing, a dialog box shown in FIG. 22 is displayedfirst on the display of the user terminal 700.

This dialog box has a “name/address” button 1000, “password” button1010, “place of employment” button 1020, “credit card” button 1030,“service” button 1040, “personal information” button 1050, “personalinformation 2” button 1060, “desired information” button 1070, “printingpaper” button 1080, and “favorite information registration” button 1090.The user can register matters corresponding to the respective items byclicking the buttons.

When the “name/address” button 1000 is clicked in the dialog box shownin FIG. 22, a dialog box shown in FIG. 23 is displayed. The user mustinput, from the user terminal 700, at least the name, address, and oneof the telephone number and portable telephone number as indispensableinput matters. At the end of the input, the “OK” button is clicked, theinput contents are stored, and the dialog box shown in FIG. 22 isdisplayed again. When the “cancel” button is clicked, the dialog boxshown in FIG. 22 is displayed again without storing the input contents.This also applies to processing to be described below.

When the “password” button 1010 is clicked in the dialog box shown inFIG. 22, a dialog box shown in FIG. 24 is displayed. The user inputs adesired password to the “password” column. The password is registered toprevent a third party from using the P service system under disguisedownership. Hence, the password is an indispensable input matter inprinciple.

Since the input password is displayed by “*”, the user is caused toinput the password again to the “password (confirmation)” column toprevent any input error.

When the “place of employment” button 1020 is clicked in the dialog boxshown in FIG. 22, a dialog box shown in FIG. 25 is displayed. The usercan arbitrarily input matters associated with the place of employment.

When the “credit card” button 1030 is clicked in the dialog box shown inFIG. 22, a dialog box shown in FIG. 26 is displayed. When the user willpay a charge for the P service system using a credit card, he/shedesignates a credit card of his/her own in this dialog box. If no creditcard is designated, it is regarded that the user will pay in cash.

When the “service” button 1040 is clicked in the dialog box shown inFIG. 22, a dialog box shown in FIG. 27 is displayed. From the mailservice, personal information service, and distribution service providedby the P service system, the user selects services desired based on theP-code assigned by this user registration, and checks check boxescorresponding to the services. A service without a check mark is notavailable on the basis of the P-code assigned by this user registration.

When the “personal information” button 1050 is clicked in the dialog boxshown in FIG. 22, a dialog box shown in FIG. 28 is displayed. The usercan arbitrary input general personal information. The information inputherein is mainly used for advertisement information search processing(to be described later in detail).

When the “personal information 2” button 1060 is clicked in the dialogbox shown in FIG. 22, a dialog box shown in FIG. 29 is displayed. Theuser can arbitrarily input specific personal information. Theinformation input herein is also mainly used for advertisementinformation search processing (to be described later in detail).

When the “desired information” button 1070 is clicked in the dialog boxshown in FIG. 22, a dialog box shown in FIG. 30 is displayed. In thisdialog box, items such as economy, entertainment, and sports arehierarchically listed and displayed. The user can check the check boxesof items of his/her interest. Each item can be quickly searched for by“keyword search”.

The checked items are used to search for information which is to bearbitrarily provided to the user by the P service server 200 in eachservice of the P service system. For example, when the user receives themail service, and an excess margin portion is present on the print, theP service server 200 can search for free IP information associated withthe checked items, attach the information to the margin portion, andoutput it. The checked items can also be used for advertisementinformation search processing.

When the “printing paper” button 1080 is clicked in the dialog box shownin FIG. 22, a dialog box shown in FIG. 31 is displayed. In receiving aprint output from the P service terminal 100, the user can designate theoutput format. For example, when the “visibility priority” button in thedialog box shown in FIG. 31 is checked, priority is given to the layoutof the print, and information obtained by the P service system isprinted in a layout easy to see. When the “page count priority” checkbutton is checked, priority is given to saving of page count, so theprint cost is expected to be saved. When the “details” button isclicked, desired conditions can be selected and designated from aplurality of layout patterns, the amount of advertisement information,and font sizes, which are registered on the P service system.

When the “favorite information registration” button 1090 is clicked inthe dialog box shown in FIG. 22, IP information to be subjected to thepersonal information service can be set. This setting is done by listingIP P-codes corresponding to an IP information group desired by the user.A plurality of pieces of favorite information can be registered. Thedialog box displayed at this time is the same as that for registrationof a frame of the personal information service for a later descriptionof various services and therefore is not illustrated.

When the user clicks the “OK” button in the dialog box shown in FIG. 22,the P service server 200 determines that all inputs are complete. Theflow advances to step S1002 to check whether all the above-describedindispensable input matters are input. If YES in step S1002, the flowadvances to step S1003. If NO in step S1002, a predetermined alarmingmessage is displayed, and the flow returns to step S1001. When the userclicks the “cancel” button, processing is ended without registration.

In step S1003, the P service server 200 issues the personal P-code.Especially, one of the portable telephone number and telephone numberinput by the user in the dialog box shown in FIG. 23 is attached as a“number section”, and then, the P-code is sent to the user terminal 700,thereby giving the P-code to the user. This issue processing will bedescribed later in detail with reference to FIG. 70.

In step S1004, the information input by the above processing is storedin the user information table shown in FIG. 9 in correspondence with thenew personal P-code given to the user in this user registration. Afterthat, user registration processing is ended.

When a change in user registration already performed is selected in stepS1000, the flow advances to step S1005.

In step S1005, registration change processing is performed. In thisregistration change processing, a dialog box shown in FIG. 32 isdisplayed on the display of the user terminal 700 first. The dialog boxshown in FIG. 32 has the same structure as that of the dialog box shownin FIG. 22. Referring to FIG. 32, buttons corresponding to the buttons1000 to 1090 of the dialog box shown in FIG. 22 are indicated by adding“′” to the same reference numerals as in FIG. 22.

When the user clicks the buttons 1000′ to 1090′, dialog boxes as shownin FIGS. 23 to 31 are displayed in correspondence with the buttons. Inthe displayed dialog box, matters input in the past user registrationare displayed together.

The user can change the displayed contents while looking at them. Forexample, when the “password” button 1010′ in FIG. 32 is clicked, adialog box shown in FIG. 33 is displayed. The user can input a newpassword to the “password” column to change the password. Forconfirmation, the new password is input to the “password (confirmation)”column again. After the input, the “OK” button is clicked to store thechanged contents.

When the user clicks the “OK” button in the dialog box shown in FIG. 32,the P service server 200 determines that all changes are made, and theflow advances to step S1006 to check for confirmation whether theabove-described indispensable input matters are erased by errors uponthe change. If all the indispensable input matters have been input, theflow advances to step S1004. If matters are erased, a predeterminedalarming message is displayed, and the flow returns to step S1005.

In step S1004, the P service server 200 updates the correspondingmatters in the user information table in accordance with the changedcontents.

All user registration processing operations are complete. In the abovenew registration processing, input items are sequentially selected fromthe menu shown in FIG. 22, and necessary matters are input. However, aso-called “wizard” form may be used to automatically sequentiallydisplay the input windows and cause the user to input necessary matters.However, to change the registered contents, the menu for selecting adesired matter as shown in FIG. 32 is preferable.

<IP Information Registration>

The information provider who provides IP information in the P servicesystem must register contents of the IP information and the like in theP service server 200 or IP server 300.

To do this registration, the information provider accesses the P serviceserver 200 or IP server 300 from a terminal (not shown) (to be referredto as an information provider terminal hereinafter) of the informationprovider through the Web or presents a storage medium such as a CD-ROMin which contents of IP information and the like are stored to theoperator of the P service system.

The procedure of IP information registration will be described below byexemplifying a case wherein the information provider registers IPinformation in the P service server 200 through the Web.

When the information provider accesses IP information registration inthe P service server 200 from the information provider terminal, the Pservice server 200 executes processing in step S112 in FIG. 19 andinternally issues an IP P-code for the information provider. After that,the flow advances to step S113 to execute IP information registrationprocessing.

FIG. 34 is a flow chart of IP information registration processing.

In this IP information registration processing, the P service server 200displays windows for IP information registration on the display of theinformation provider terminal and causes the information provider tosequentially input matters to be registered by so-called GUI, as in theabove-described user registration processing.

In step S1010, a dialog box shown in FIG. 35 is displayed. It isdetermined whether the information provider is a member of the P servicesystem. A member means a person who has made an application to the Pservice system in advance as an information provider. A nonmember cannotprovide pay IP information. A membership number and password areassigned in accordance with an application.

When the information provider is a member, he/she checks the radiobutton “Yes” in this dialog box and also inputs the membership number.When the information provider is a nonmember, he/she checks the radiobutton “No”. When “next” is clicked, the flow advances to step S1011 fora nonmember. For a member, a dialog box shown in FIG. 36 is displayed torequest to input a password. If the password input by the informationprovider is authentic, the flow advances to step S1012.

When “next” is clicked in each dialog box, input information is stored,and the flow advances to the next processing. When “back” is clicked,input information is stored, and the flow returns to immediatelypreceding processing. When “cancel” is clicked, the flow returns to thefirst dialog box without storing input information. This also applies tothe following processing.

In step S1011, a dialog box shown in FIG. 37 is displayed to cause theinformation provider as a nonmember to input information for specifyingthe information provider, including the address, name, and telephonenumber. This process is required to prevent oversupply of inappropriateIP information. After the input, when “next” is clicked, the flowadvances to step S1014. After the input, a dialog box shown in FIG. 38may be displayed to recommend member registration such that theprocedure of member registration can be executed on the Web.

In step S1012, a dialog box shown in FIG. 39 is displayed to confirmwhether the information provider as a member will charge for IPinformation registered by this IP information registration. If the IPinformation is pay information, the information provider checks thecheck box “charge for printing” and inputs a desired charge (stepS1013). If the IP information is free information, no check box ischecked. In either case, when “next” is clicked, the flow advances tostep S1014.

In step S1014, a dialog box shown in FIG. 40 is displayed to designateIP information to be registered. The information provider inputs thefile name of the entity (contents) of IP information stored in theinformation provider terminal. In this case, a plurality of file namescan be designated. The IP information to be registered may be eithercharacter information or an image.

When the “designate file” button is clicked, a dialog box in FIG. 41that shows the list of IP information files stored in the informationprovider terminal can be displayed. In this case, the informationprovider can easily select an IP information file. To cancel a fileselected once, the file is designated in the dialog box shown in FIG.40, and the “delete” button is clicked. When “next” is selected in thedialog box shown in FIG. 40, the flow advances to step S1015.

In step S1015, the contents of the file designated in step S1014 aredisplayed as a preview (FIG. 42), and the information provider is madeto confirm it. After the confirmation, when the information providerclicks the “transfer to server” button, a dialog box shown in FIG. 43 isdisplayed, and the designated file is transferred to the P serviceserver 200. After the transfer, the flow advances to step S1016.

In step S1016, a property of the transferred IP information is set. Insetting the property, a dialog box shown in FIG. 44 is displayed, so thedate of start of insertion and valid dates of the IP information can beset. In this setting, the valid dates of the IP P-code and those of theIP information can be independently set. The valid dates of the P-codemay be automatically set by adding a predetermined period to the validdates of the IP information, as will be described later with referenceto FIG. 73. When “next” is clicked in the dialog box shown in FIG. 44, adialog box shown in FIG. 45 is displayed to set another property.

In this dialog box, whether a change in size of registered IPinformation is allowed when it is output from the P service terminal 100is set.

This setting is required because size reduction may be required on the Pservice terminal 100 side due to the paper of the P service terminal 100or layout of a plurality of IP information output to one paper sheet. Ifthe size can be freely changed on the P service terminal 100 side, theprinted contents may be unclear depending on the contents of the IPinformation. Hence, the information provider is allowed to set theallowable range of the font size or magnification. When “next” isselected in the dialog box shown in FIG. 45, a dialog box shown in FIG.46 is displayed to set still another property.

In this dialog box, whether the information provider permits automaticattachment of advertisement information when the IP informationregistered is output from the P service terminal 100 is set. Theinformation provider checks one of the radio buttons “permit”, “permitfor lower surface”, “not permit” to select setting. Advertisementinformation is attached within the selected range. When “next” isselected in the dialog box shown in FIG. 46, a dialog box shown in FIG.47 is displayed to set still another property.

In this dialog box, a password can be set to allow only a specific userto use the registered IP information. To set a password, the check box“set password” is checked, and a desired password is input to the“password” column. After input, when “next” is clicked, a dialog boxshown in FIG. 48 is displayed. Re-input is requested to prevent apassword input error. When the “register” button is clicked, thepassword is stored. When password setting is unnecessary, “next” isclicked without any processing in the dialog box shown in FIG. 47. Ineither case, a dialog box shown in FIG. 49 is displayed to set stillanother property.

In this dialog box, the genre and keywords of IP information to beregistered are input such that they can be used for advertisement searchprocessing. The items to be input are “genre”, “subgenre”, and“keyword”. “Genre” and “subgenre” are listed in drop-down list boxes.For example, when the right arrow of the “genre” column is clicked, thelist of items of the “genre” column is displayed, as in a dialog boxshown in FIG. 50. The information provider can select from this list acategory most suitable to the IP information to be registered. Inaddition, keywords associated with the concrete contents of the IPinformation registered can be arbitrarily selected and input to the“keyword” column. An input keyword can be set by the “add” button, andthe set keyword can be canceled by the “delete” button.

When the check box “negative link to advertisement” is checked,selection of advertisement information inappropriate to the contents ofthe registered IP information can be avoided.

Instead of or together with setting the property in the dialog box shownin FIG. 49, a property in a dialog box shown in FIG. 51 can be set.

In the dialog box shown in FIG. 51, the title and summary of theregistered IP information are input. This summary is used foradvertisement search processing. In addition, when the IP information isrequested in the information service, the summary is temporarilydisclosed to the user instead of immediately providing the entity of theIP information to the user, thereby increasing the width of IPinformation selection by the user or reducing the charge.

Property setting in step S1016 is ended, and the flow advances to stepS1017.

In step S1017, a dialog box shown in FIG. 52A is displayed to selectwhether the registered IP information is to be subjected to groupsetting. With group setting, pieces of IP information are associatedwith each other. This processing is used to handle information havingthe same object whose contents are updated over time, including theresults of professional baseball games and stock information.

If group setting is not desired, the information provider clicks the“cancel” button, and in this case, the flow advances to step S1019.

If group setting is desired, whether the registered IP information is tobe added to an existing group or a new group is selected by a radiobutton in the dialog box shown in FIG. 52A.

To add the IP information to an existing group, the IP P-code of thelink destination is input. The P-code displayed in the “P-code to beregistered” column is the P-code assigned to the IP information to beregistered this time.

When a new group is selected, and the “OK” button is clicked, a dialogbox shown in FIG. 52B is displayed. The title, contents, and updateschedule of the group are input. The input data are finally stored inthe Frame Information storage area of the IP information registrationtable (FIG. 7).

In either case, when the “OK” button is clicked, a dialog box shown inFIG. 52C is displayed, and registration matters for group setting aredisplayed. This display is done when the IP information to be registeredthis time is added to an existing group. “Link number #77” in thisdisplay means that the IP information registered this time is also usedas a P-code in which an attached section (surfix) “#77” is attached tothe IP P-code (parent code section) of the link destination. That is,the IP information subjected to group setting can be accessed as the IPP-code of itself or as the IP P-code of the link destination (identifiedby the attached section), and the latter is mainly used to updateinformation. When the “OK” button is clicked, the flow advances to stepS1019.

In step S1019, a dialog box shown in FIG. 53 is displayed. The list ofinput matters is displayed together with the IP P-code assigned to theregistered IP information. When the information provider confirmsdisplay and clicks the “register” button, the flow advances to stepS1020.

In step S1020, the P service server 200 stores the information input bythe above processing in the IP information registration table shown inFIG. 7 in correspondence with the IP P-code assigned to the informationprovider. The information can also be transferred to the IP server 300and held by the IP server 300.

When the information provider will register IP information not in the Pservice server 200 but in the IP server 300 from the informationprovider terminal, registration is generally done according to theabove-described procedure.

In this case, the P service server 200 allocates a usable IP P-code areato the IP server 300 in advance. The IP server 300 can assign an IPP-code to the information provider from the IP P-codes in the allocatedarea. The IP server 300 notifies the P service server 200 of at leastthe assigned P-code to perform IP information registration processing.This will be described later with reference to FIGS. 71 to 74.

In this way, the entire IP information registration processing is ended.

<Advertisement Information Registration>

In the P service system, an advertisement provider who providesadvertisement information must register the contents of advertisementinformation in the P service server 200 or IP server 300.

To do this registration, the advertisement provider accesses the Pservice server 200 or IP server 300 from a terminal (not shown) (to bereferred to as an advertisement provider terminal hereinafter) of theadvertisement provider through the Web or presents a storage medium suchas a CD-ROM in which contents of advertisement information are stored tothe operator of the P service system.

The procedure of advertisement information registration will bedescribed below by exemplifying a case wherein the advertisementprovider registers advertisement information in the P service server 200through the Web.

When the advertisement provider accesses advertisement informationregistration in the P service server 200 from the advertisement providerterminal, the P service server 200 executes processing in step S114 inFIG. 19 and internally issues a P-code for advertisement information.This P-code is exclusively used for internal processing of the P serviceserver 200 and therefore is not disclosed to the advertisement providerin principle.

After that, the flow advances to step S115 to execute advertisementinformation registration processing.

FIG. 54 is a flow chart of advertisement information registrationprocessing.

In this advertisement information registration processing, windows foradvertisement information registration are displayed on the display ofthe advertisement provider terminal, and the advertisement provider iscaused to input matters to be registered by so-called GUI, as in theabove-described user registration processing and IP informationregistration processing.

In step S1050, a dialog box shown in FIG. 55 is displayed, and it isdetermined whether the advertisement provider is a member of the Pservice system. A member means a person who has made an application asan information provider in advance. A nonmember cannot provideadvertisement information because advertisement insertion is chargedfor. A membership number and password are assigned in accordance with anapplication.

When the advertisement provider is a member, he/she checks the radiobutton “Yes” in this dialog box and also inputs the membership number.When the advertisement provider is a nonmember, he/she checks the radiobutton “No”. When “next” is clicked, the flow advances to step S1051 fora nonmember. For a member, a dialog box shown in FIG. 56 is displayed torequest to input a password. If the password input by the advertisementprovider is authentic, the flow advances to step S1052.

When “next” is clicked in each dialog box, input information is stored,and the flow advances to the next processing. When “back” is clicked,input information is stored, and the flow returns to immediatelypreceding processing. When “cancel” is clicked, the flow returns to thefirst dialog box without storing input information. This also applies tothe following processing.

In step S1051, a dialog box shown in FIG. 57 is displayed to cause theadvertisement provider as a nonmember to input information forspecifying the advertisement provider. This is because advertisementinsertion is charged for, as described above. After the input, when“next” is clicked, the flow advances to step S1052.

In step S1052, a dialog box shown in FIG. 58 is displayed to designateadvertisement information to be registered. The advertisement providerinputs the file name of the entity (contents) of advertisementinformation stored in the advertisement provider terminal. In this case,a plurality of file names can be designated. The functions of the“designate file” and “delete” buttons are the same as in theabove-described IP information registration processing shown in FIG. 40.The advertisement information to be registered may be either an image orcharacter information.

When “next” is selected in the dialog box shown in FIG. 58, the flowadvances to step S1053.

In step S1053, the contents of the designated file are displayed as apreview (FIG. 59), and the advertisement provider is made to confirm it.After the confirmation, when the advertisement provider clicks the“next”, a dialog box shown in FIG. 60 is displayed, and the designatedfile is transferred to the P service server 200. After the transfer, theflow advances to step S1054.

In step S1054, a property of the transferred advertisement informationis set. In setting the property, a dialog box shown in FIG. 61 isdisplayed, so the date of start of insertion and valid dates (due dateof insertion) of the advertisement information can be set. When “next”is clicked in the dialog box shown in FIG. 61, a dialog box shown inFIG. 62 is displayed to set another property.

In this dialog box, a method of linking the advertisement information toIP information in which insertion of the advertisement information isrequested is set. In accordance with the display of the dialog box,insertion of the advertisement information into IP information common inassociation with any one of the region, age group, sex, and keyword orcontents of information can be designated. For example, when “region” isselected, and the “set details” button is clicked in FIG. 62, a dialogbox shown in FIG. 63 is displayed, and specific region setting can bedone. When “next” is selected in the dialog box shown in FIG. 63, adialog box shown in FIG. 64 is displayed to set still another property.

In this dialog box, the size and the like of the advertisementinformation transferred to the P service server 200 are displayed. Theadvertisement provider can designate the size in printing,enable/disable state of enlargement/reduction of advertisementinformation, and print position. For example, when the right arrow ofthe drop-down list box of the print size selection column is clicked,the list of print sizes is displayed, as shown in FIG. 65, and theadvertisement provider can select a desired print size. When “next” isselected in the dialog box shown in FIG. 64, a dialog box shown in FIG.66 is displayed to set still another property.

In this dialog box, the insertion scheme of the advertisementinformation to be printed is set. The advertisement provider can checkthe check box of a desired limitation item to impose the limitation.Except the limitation items shown in FIG. 66, a limitation may beimposed on a change in contents corresponding to color or monochromeprint, insertion at the same position when a plurality of pages areprinted, or generation of a series of advertisement information. When“next” is selected in the dialog box shown in FIG. 66, a dialog boxshown in FIG. 67 is displayed to set still another property.

In this dialog box, a charge for insertion of the advertisementinformation is set. In this dialog box, a charge per insertion ofadvertisement information is displayed, and the limit of the totalcharge can be designated by setting the print count or the upper limitof charge for insertion. When the radio box “designate maximum printcount” is checked, the count can also be designated. When the radio box“designate upper limit of advertisement charge” is checked, the upperlimit of charge for insertion can also be designated.

Property setting in step S1054 is ended, and the flow advances to stepS1055.

In step S1055, a dialog box shown in FIG. 68 is displayed. The list ofinput matters is displayed. The P-code is not displayed in principle.When the advertisement provider confirms the display and clicks the“register” button, the flow advances to step S1056. When the “register”button is clicked, a dialog box shown in FIG. 69 may be displayed toallow the advertisement provider terminal to print the particulars ofthe registered advertisement information.

In step S1056, the P service server 200 stores the information input bythe above processing in the advertisement information table shown inFIG. 8 in correspondence with the P-code issued in advance. Theinformation may be transferred to the IP server 300. The P serviceserver 200 always holds the properties (advertisement information table)of the registered advertisement information. However, the entity(contents) itself can be held by either the P service server 200 or IPserver 300.

When the advertisement provider will register advertisement informationnot in the P service server 200 but in the IP server 300 from theadvertisement provider terminal, registration is generally doneaccording to the above-described procedure.

In this case, the P service server 200 allocates a usable P-code area tothe IP server 300 in advance. The IP server 300 can assign a P-code fromthe P-codes in the allocated area. The IP server 300 finally transfersthe assigned P-code and its table information to the P service server200 to perform advertisement information registration processing.

In this way, the entire advertisement information registrationprocessing is ended.

<P-code Issue Processing>

P-code issue processing in steps Sill, S112, and S114 in FIG. 19 will bedescribed next.

FIG. 70 is a flow chart for explaining the personal P-code issueprocedure in step S111.

When user information is registered, one of the portable telephonenumber, telephone number, and FAX number of the user is input by theabove-described procedure according to GUI. For a personal P-code, oneof the input numbers is used for the number section (P-code number) ofthe P-code. In this embodiment, priority is given in the order of theportable telephone number, telephone number, and FAX number. Hence, whena plurality of numbers are input by the user, the number used for thenumber section of the P-code is determined in accordance with thispriority. For example, when a portable telephone number and telephonenumber are input, the portable telephone number with a higher priorityis used to issue a P-code.

When the portable telephone number is input, the flow advances from stepS3001 to step S3004 to extract the portable telephone number. If not theportable telephone number but the telephone number is input, the flowadvances from step S3002 to step S3005 to extract the telephone number.If only the FAX number is input, the flow advances from step S3003 tostep S3006 to extract the FAX number. If none of the portable telephonenumber, telephone number, and FAX number are input, the flow advances toerror processing in step S3009 to prompt the user to input at least oneof the portable telephone number, telephone number, and FAX number.

When the number is extracted in one of steps S3004, S3005, and S3006, itis checked in step S3007 whether the extracted number is not common to aused personal P-code. If NO in step S3007, the flow advances to stepS3009 to notify the user of it. When the extracted number is unique inthe personal P-code, the flow advances from step S3007 to step S3008 todetermine the extracted number as the number section of the P-code andassign the P-code to the user.

In this way, the personal P-code is determined on the basis of theportable telephone number, telephone number, or FAX number of the user.

IP P-code issue in step S112 in FIG. 19 will be described next. An IPP-code is issued by the P service server 200 or IP server 300.

To issue an IP P-code by the IP server 300, personal information IDnumber (internal code) is connected to a site number (external code)assigned to the IP server in advance to generate a P-code. Morespecifically, each IP server has a site number (external code, FIG. 18)assigned from the P service server 200. In accordance with an IPinformation registration request, the IP server 300 assigns an internalcode and links the external code to the internal code to obtain oneP-code. The number of P-codes that can be assigned by the IP serverequals the number of internal codes. Hence, processing of assigning anexternal code to the IP server will be described first, and IP P-codeissue processing will be described then.

FIG. 71 is a flow chart for explaining a procedure in which the Pservice server assigns the external code of a P-code to the IP server.

In step S3021, when a P-code request is received from the IP server, thesite scale is determined in step S3022 (the site scale is determined inaccordance with a scale request from the IP server). When the site scaleis determined, four bits from the 17th bit to the 20th bit in FIG. 18are determined (since the code is to be assigned to an external server,the 17th bit (server identification bit) is “0”). In step S3023, thecode value of the external code section determined in accordance withthe site scale determined in step S3022 is determined. For example, whenthe site scale is medium, the 21st to 36th bits are used as bits for theexternal code, as shown in FIG. 18, so a code value represented by 16bits is determined. The code value determined herein is a code that hasnot been assigned yet to another site at that time.

FIG. 72 is a view showing the data structure of a P-code useregistration table used in this embodiment. This P-code userregistration table is held by the P service server 200. As shown in FIG.72, external codes already assigned to sites (IP servers) and the URLsof the sites are registered in correspondence with each other in unitsof site scales including the minimal scale, small scale, medium scale,large scale, and maximal scale. In step S3023, an unused external codeis detected by looking up the P-code use registration table anddetermined as an external code to be assigned. As information to beregistered in correspondence with an external code, information capableof specifying the database which stores information in the IP server,i.e., database identification information (address) suffixes, and a URLneed not always be used. This is because information to be provided inaccordance with designation of a P-code in the system is not alwayspresent on the Web.

In step S3024, the site that has requested a P-code is notified of thevalue determined in steps S3022 and S3023 as an external code. Uponreceiving the site number (external code) from the P service server 200,the site that has requested a P-code can issue a P-code corresponding toIP information using personal information ID bits (internal code)according to the site scale.

In step S3025, the P-code use registration table shown in FIG. 72 isupdated. More specifically, in the external code determined in stepsS3022 and S3023 and the URL (database identification information) of thesite that has requested a P-code are registered in the P-code useregistration table shown in FIG. 72 in correspondence with each other.When an IP P-code is designated later from the P service terminal 100,the P service server 200 can know the site that is to be notified of thedesignated P-code to obtain information by looking up this P-code useregistration table.

P-code issue processing in the server (P service server or IP server)which has received an IP information registration request will bedescribed next. In the following processing example, a P-code is issuedusing a P-code use table in which the valid date of each P-code isregistered.

FIG. 73 is a view showing the data structure of the P-code use table.Each IP server holds a P-code use table as shown in FIG. 73 and looks itup in issuing a P-code. The number section of a P-code (for an IPserver, a number obtained by linking an external code and internal code;for the P service server 200, a number represented by the 17th to 55thbits) and the valid dates of the code are registered in the P-code usetable. As the valid dates of the code, the same data as the “valid datesof code” in the IP information registration table shown in FIG. 7 isused. In registering IP information, dates set by the informationprovider by GUI in FIG. 44 are registered as the valid dates of thecode. Alternatively, a date after a predetermined period from the validdates of information set by the information provider in IP informationregistration, e.g., a date after three months is automatically set. Withthis setting, a nonuse period of the P-code is given, and contents towhich the same P-code is assigned can be prevented from largely changingafter a certain day. Since a common external code is used in one site,only the internal code may be recorded in the column “number section ofP-code” of the P-code use table.

For a personal P-code in the P service server 200, the number section ofthe P-code is constructed by a 40-bit code section. For this reason, thecode represented by 40 bits is registered in the column “number sectionof P-code”.

FIG. 74 is a flow chart for explaining IP-code issue processing. When anIP information registration request is received, and step S112 in FIG.19 is executed, a P-code usable in the server is detected by looking upthe above-described P-code use table in step S3041. In step S3042, oneof the usable P-codes is determined and assigned to the IP information.To assign a P-code by the IP server, the above-described P-code usetable is searched to acquire an unused internal code. The internal codeis linked to the external code of the IP server, class category code(code representing the site scale), and server identification bit (=0)to determine a P-code to be issued and assigned to the information. Toassign a P-code by the P service server 200, a 39-bit unused code isconnected to the identification bit (17th bit=1) to obtain a P-code, asshown in FIG. 18.

An unused P-code means a P-code whose “term of validity of code” hasexpired. To determine whether a P-code is unused, the table may besearched for a P-code that has expired at the time of issue.Alternatively, time information of year, month, and day may be alwayscompared with the valid dates of code in the table, and an unusedidentifier may be stored in the table when the code has expired.

In step S3043, the P-code use table in the server is updated. Morespecifically, the newly assigned P-code is stored, and the valid datesof the P-code are set at the valid dates designated at the time of IPinformation registration, or at a date after a predetermined period(e.g., after three months) from the valid dates of the IP informationset by the information provider.

In this way, an IP P-code is issued. In issuing an IP P-code, the validdates of the code are looked up. In extracting information correspondingto the designated IP P-code, it is checked whether the current timefalls within the range between the “date of start of insertion” and“valid dates of information”, which are registered in the IP informationregistration table (FIG. 7) of the P-code.

In this example, to perform issue processing at a high speed, a table asshown in FIG. 73 is prepared. However, since the valid dates of the codeare registered in the IP information registration table shown in FIG. 7,a P-code may be issued by looking up this table. Additionally, forexample, an IP code usable in the server may be temporarily issued forinformation registration, and it may be determined whether thetemporarily issued code can be used, by looking up the valid dates ofthe code registered in the IP information registration table. In thiscase, it is determined whether the time (year, month, and day) oftemporary code issue is before the valid dates of the code. If it isdetermined that the code has expired, issue of the IP code is inhibited,and temporary issue of another IP code and determination are repeateduntil an IP code is finally issued.

The procedure of issuing a P-code for advertisement information isbasically the same as the procedure of issuing a P-code for IPinformation.

<Description of Various Services>

Details of information acquisition processing (to be referred to as aninformation service hereinafter) in step S116, mail data acquisitionprocessing (to be referred to as a mail service hereinafter) in stepS117, personal information acquisition processing (to be referred to asa personal information service hereinafter) in step S118, distributiondata acquisition processing (to be referred to as a distribution service(reception of registered information) hereinafter) in step S119, anddistribution information registration processing (to be referred to as adistribution service (registration of information) hereinafter) in stepS123, and examples of display windows displayed on the touch panel 104of the P service terminal 100 in executing each processing will bedescribed next.

An initial window for executing the services will be described firstwith reference to FIG. 75.

Referring to FIG. 75, an initial window 2000 has buttons 2001 to 2004.To execute the information service, mail service, personal informationservice, or distribution service (reception of registered information),a P-code for executing the service is input using one of the buttons2001 to 2003. The button 2001 is pressed to input a P-code using thetouch panel 104. The button 2002 is pressed to input a P-code using theportable terminal 400. The button 2003 is pressed to input a P-codeusing the bar code reader 107. The button 2004 is pressed for thedistribution service (registration of information) (to be describedlater).

When the button 2001 in the initial window 2000 is pressed, a window2005 shown in FIG. 76 is displayed.

The window 2005 is a P-code input window in which a P-code for executingvarious services including the information service, mail service,distribution service (reception of registered information), and personalinformation service is input.

The window 2005 has a ten-key group 2006. A desired P-code is inputusing the keys of the ten-key group 2006. The input P-code is displayedin an area 2007. After the end of input, a button 2008 is pressed toacknowledge the input P-code. To cancel the input P-code, a button 2009is pressed to delete the P-code displayed in the area 2007. To correctthe input P-code, a button 2010 is pressed to correct the P-code to becorrected using a cursor (not shown) on the area 2007. A button 2011 ispressed to input a P-code associated with foreign information.

When the button 2008 is pressed, the structure of the input P-code isdetermined. On the basis of the determination result, a window forexecuting various services including the information service, mailservice, distribution service (reception of registered information), andpersonal information service or a window 2012 shown in FIG. 77 isdisplayed. If the input P-code has expired, a window (not shown) fornotifying the user of it is displayed.

The window 2012 shown in FIG. 77 has a ten-key group 2013 for inputtinga password and buttons 2015 to 2017. In an area 2014, “*” is displayedas the password is input.

When the button 2015 is pressed after completion of password input, awindow for executing various services including the information service,mail service, distribution service (reception of registeredinformation), and personal information service is displayed on the basisof the determination result of the structure of the P-code input in thewindow 2005 in FIG. 76. In this embodiment, a P-code input as a numbersequence hyphened in units of four digits (in units of four numbers) isdetermined as a “nontelephone number” (IP P-code), and a P-code input asanother type of number sequence (unhyphened number sequence or a numbersequence hyphened in units of digits other than four digits) isdetermined as a “telephone number” (personal P-code).

When it is determined that the input P-code is “telephonenumber#Subcode”, a window for executing the mail service is displayed.When the input P-code is “telephone number-Subcode”, a window forexecuting the distribution service (reception of registered information)is displayed.

When the input P-code is “nontelephone number”, a window for executingthe information service is displayed.

When the input P-code is “telephone number##Subcode”, a window forexecuting the personal information service is displayed.

When the button 2002 in the initial window 2000 shown in FIG. 75 ispressed, a window 2018 shown in FIG. 78 is displayed.

The window 2018 is a P-code input window by the portable terminal 400.After completion of input, when a button 2019 is pressed, the structureof the input P-code is determined. On the basis of the determinationresult, a window for executing various services including theinformation service, mail service, distribution service (reception ofregistered information), and personal information service or the window2012 shown in FIG. 77 is displayed. To cancel the input P-code, a button2020 is pressed. If the input P-code has expired, a window (not shown)for notifying the user of it is displayed.

When the button 2003 in the initial window 2000 shown in FIG. 75 ispressed, a window 2021 shown in FIG. 79 is displayed.

The window 2021 is a P-code input window by the bar code reader 107.After completion of input, when a button 2022 is pressed, the structureof the input P-code is determined. On the basis of the determinationresult, a window for executing various services including theinformation service, mail service, distribution service (reception ofregistered information), and personal information service or the window2012 shown in FIG. 77 is displayed. To cancel the input P-code, a button2023 is pressed. If the input P-code has expired, a window (not shown)for notifying the user of it is displayed.

Windows displayed on the basis of the determination result of thestructure of the input P-code will be described next.

A window for executing the information service, which is displayed whenthe input P-code is a nontelephone number, will be described first withreference to FIG. 80.

When the input P-code is an IP P-code, the contents of informationcorresponding to the IP P-code are displayed in a window 2025. Morespecifically, in an area 2027, P-codes, titles of informationcorresponding to the P-codes, the number of pages, printing charges, andprinting conditions (in this embodiment, color or monochrome printingand the presence/absence of printing can be particularly designated asprinting conditions, for which buttons 2027 a to 2027 c are prepared)are displayed.

In an area 2028, charge information in printing the informationdisplayed in the area 2027 is displayed. The area 2028 has a button 2028a which is pressed to print an advertisement together with theinformation. When the button 2028 a is pressed, a window shown in FIG.28 is displayed to set advertisement insertion conditions. This windowwill be described later in detail.

A button 2029 is pressed to display the print preview of information tobe printed. A button 2030 is pressed to print information to be printed.A button 2031 is pressed to display the preceding window. A button 2032is pressed to cancel the contents set in the window 2025. A button 2026is pressed to input another P-code. When the button 2026 is pressed, thewindow 2005 shown in FIG. 76 is displayed again.

When the button 2029 is pressed, a window 2033 shown in FIG. 81 isdisplayed.

In the window 2033, an area 2034 is a preview area where the contents ofinformation to be printed are displayed. A button 2035 is pressed todisplay the next page of information to be printed. A button 2036 ispressed to display the preceding page of information to be printed. Abutton 2037 is pressed to display the main window (in this embodiment,the window 2025 shown in FIG. 80).

When the button 2028 a in the window 2025 shown in FIG. 80 is pressed, awindow 2038 shown in FIG. 82 is displayed.

In the window 2038, insertion conditions of advertisements to be printedtogether with information to be printed are set. In the window 2038, theinsertion condition set item group (in this embodiment, “print in freespace of article”, “print on lower surface”, and “print another page”)is displayed. The presence/absence of execution of each item can bedesignated by a button group 2039. A button 2040 is pressed toacknowledge the set insertion conditions. A button 2041 is pressed tocancel the set insertion conditions.

In the window 2038, the user can set the advertisement insertionconditions. Instead, the P service server 200 may search for anappropriate advertisement for information to be printed such that thecharge for printing the information to be printed is nullified, andgenerate print data constructed by the searched advertisement andinformation to be printed. Advertisement search processing by the Pservice server 200 will be described later.

Next, a window for executing the mail service, which is displayed whenthe input P-code is “telephone number#Subcode”, and a window forexecuting the distribution service (reception of registeredinformation), which is displayed when the input P-code is “telephonenumber-Subcode”, will be described with reference to FIG. 83.

In this embodiment, it is determined, by identifying a predeterminedsymbol contained in the P-code, whether the surfix portion attached tothe telephone number is “#Subcode”, “-Subcode”, or “##Subcode”, therebydetermining the service to be executed: the mail service, distributionservice, or personal information service. Instead, the type of serviceto be executed may be determined by the P service server 200 on thebasis of the input personal P-code by directly looking up the P-codetable shown in FIGS. 10, 11, and 12, and on the basis of thedetermination result, a window to be displayed (an operation windowassociated with the service) may be determined.

A window for executing the mail service will be described with referenceto FIG. 83.

A window 2042 is a window for displaying the contents of user's mailcorresponding to a personal P-code represented by the input P-code. Morespecifically, in an area 2046, the surfix (#n, n: 0, 1, 2, . . . ) in aninput P-code, the subject of mail corresponding to the P-code, sender,the number of pages, printing conditions (in this embodiment, color ormonochrome printing and the presence/absence of printing can beparticularly designated as printing conditions, for which buttons 2046 ato 2046 c are prepared) are displayed.

In an area 2047, the printing contents of mail to be printed in the area2046 are displayed. In addition to this area, the button 2028 a in thewindow 2025 shown in FIG. 80 may be displayed to allow the user to setinsertion of an advertisement to the mail, or an appropriateadvertisement for the mail to be printed may be searched by the Pservice server 200.

A button 2048 is pressed to display a print preview of mail to beprinted. When the button 2048 is pressed, the window shown in FIG. 81described above is displayed. A button 2049 is pressed to set printoptions for mail to be printed. When the button 2049 is pressed, awindow shown in FIG. 84 is displayed to set print options. This windowwill be described later in detail. A button 2050 is pressed to printmail to be printed. A button 2051 is pressed to display the precedingwindow. A button 2052 is pressed to cancel contents set in the window2042.

A button 2043 is pressed to print all mail messages managed by the Pservice server 200. A button 2044 is pressed to display, of mailmessages out of the area 2046, the contents of mail messages withsmaller surfix numbers. A button 2045 is pressed to display, of mailmessages out of the area 2046, the contents of mail messages with largersurfix numbers.

In this embodiment, when the surfix number (#n) attached to thetelephone number, i.e., the input P-code, is “0”, mail messagescorresponding to the surfix number are displayed as many as possible, asshown in the area 2046. If the surfix has a number other than “0”, amail message corresponding to a surfix matching the number is displayed.In a window for executing the distribution service (reception ofregistered information), which is displayed when the input P-code is“telephone number-Subcode”, in the area 2046, display of contents ofinformation registered in the distribution service is controlled inaccordance with the surfix number, as in displaying the contents ofmail. Although not illustrated, a function of deleting mail withoutprinting the mail information is provided.

The window 2053 is a window for setting print options of mail to beprinted. As shown in FIG. 84, an item group settable as print options(in this embodiment, “continuously print mail messages on one papersheet” and “densely print with smallest letters”) are displayed in thewindow 2053. The presence/absence of execution of each item can bedesignated by a button group 2054. A button 2055 is pressed toacknowledge the set print options. A button 2056 is pressed to cancelthe set print options.

A window for executing the personal information service, which isdisplayed when the input P-code is “telephone number##Subcode”, will bedescribed next with reference to FIG. 85.

When the input P-code represents the personal information service, thecontents of the personal information service are displayed in a window2057. More specifically, in an area 2061, surfixes (##m, m: 0, 1, 2, . .. ) in the input P-codes, contents of information corresponding to theP-codes, the number of pages, and buttons 2061 a and 2061 b for settingthe presence/absence of printing are displayed.

In an area 2062, the print contents of information to be printed in thearea 2061 are displayed.

An information group managed by a surfix (##m) is called a frame.

A button 2063 is pressed to register a new frame or change the contentsof a registered frame. When the button 2063 is pressed, a window shownin FIG. 86, which is used to register/change information, is displayed.This window will be described later in detail. A button 2064 is pressedto display a print preview of a frame to be printed. A button 2065 ispressed to print a frame to be printed. A button 2066 is pressed todisplay the preceding window. A button 2067 is pressed to cancelcontents set in the window 2057.

A button 2058 is pressed to print all frames managed by the P serviceserver 200. A button 2059 is pressed to display, of frames out of thearea 2061, the contents of frames with smaller surfix numbers. A button2060 is pressed to display, of frames out of the area 2061, the contentsof frames with larger surfix numbers.

In this embodiment, when the surfix number (##m) attached to thetelephone number, i.e., the input P-code, is “0”, as many frames aspossible corresponding to the surfix number are displayed, as shown inthe area 2061. If the surfix has a number other than “0”, a framecorresponding to a surfix matching the number is displayed.

When the button 2063 is pressed, a window 2068 shown in FIG. 86 isdisplayed.

The window 2068 has a ten-key group 2070 for designating a surfix (##m)to be registered or changed, and an area 2071 for displaying the inputsurfix (##m). Especially, to register a new frame, a button 2069 ispressed. A button 2072 is pressed to acknowledge the input surfix (##m).A button 2073 is pressed to cancel the input surfix (##m). A button 2074is pressed to correct the input surfix (##m).

When the button 2072 or 2069 is pressed, a window 2075 shown in FIG. 87is displayed.

The window 2075 is a window for displaying the contents of aninformation group managed by a frame corresponding to the surfix (##m)input to the area 2071. More specifically, P-codes managed by the frame,contents corresponding to the P-codes, and buttons 2078 a and 2078 b forsetting the presence/absence of registration are displayed in an area2078.

A button 2079 is pressed to register another information (P-code) inthis frame. When the button 2079 is pressed, the above-described windowfor registering a P-code, shown in FIG. 76, is displayed. When theten-key group 2069 shown in FIG. 86 is pressed to register a new frame,the area 2078 is blank because no information is managed by the framecorresponding to the input surfix (##m).

A button 2080 is pressed to acknowledge the registered state ofinformation of the frame to be registered. A button 2081 is pressed todisplay the preceding window. A button 2082 is pressed to cancelcontents set in the window 2075.

When the button 2080 is pressed, a window 2083 shown in FIG. 88 isdisplayed.

The window 2083 is a window for setting the size of a paper sheet usedto print a registered frame. In areas 2084, 2085, and 2086, the sizes ofpaper sheets usable for printing are displayed. When the user pressesthe area of a desired paper size, display of the pressed area isinverted to notify the user of designation of the paper size. Buttons2087 and 2088 are used to set the direction (landscape or portrait) ofthe paper sheet to be used. A button 2089 is pressed to acknowledge thedesignated size and direction of the paper sheet to be used forprinting. A button 2090 is pressed to display the preceding window. Abutton 2091 is pressed to cancel contents set in the window 2083.

Windows for executing the distribution service (registration ofinformation) which is executed when the button 2004 in the initialwindow 2000 shown in FIG. 75 is pressed will be described sequentially.

When the button 2004 in the initial window 2000 is pressed, a window2092 shown in FIG. 89 is displayed.

The window 2092 is a P-code input window in which a P-code (user'stelephone number) for executing the distribution service (registrationof information) is input.

The window 2092 has a ten-key group 2093. A P-code is input using thekeys of the ten-key group 2093. The input P-code is displayed in an area2094. To acknowledge the input P-code, a button 2095 is pressed. Tocancel the input P-code, a button 2096 is pressed to erase the P-codedisplayed in the area 2094. To correct the input P-code, a button 2097is pressed to correct the P-code to be corrected using a cursor (notshown) on the area 2094. A button 2098 is pressed to input a foreignP-code.

When the button 2095 is pressed, a window 2099 shown in FIG. 90 isdisplayed. If the input P-code has expired, a window (not shown) fornotifying the user of it is displayed.

Constituent elements 2100 to 2104 in the window 2099 and functionsthereof correspond to those of the constituent elements 2013 to 2017 inthe window 2012 shown in FIG. 77, respectively, and a detaileddescription thereof will be omitted.

When the button 2102 in the window 2099 shown in FIG. 90 is pressed, awindow 2105 shown in FIG. 91 is displayed.

The window 2105 is a window for selecting an information registrationmethod in the distribution service (registration of information). Abutton 2106 is pressed to register information using a scanner. A button2107 is pressed to register information using an external device. Whenone of the buttons is pressed, a window corresponding to the button isdisplayed. These windows will be described later in detail. A button2108 is pressed to display the preceding window. A button 2109 ispressed to cancel registration of information.

When the button 2106 is pressed, a window 2110 shown in FIG. 92 isdisplayed.

The window 2110 is a window for instructing the user to set an originalto be registered on the scanner 102. A button 2111 is pressed to executean input operation for the set original. When the button 2111 ispressed, a window 2114 shown in FIG. 93 is displayed. A button 2112 ispressed to display the preceding window. A button 2113 is pressed tocancel the input operation for the set original.

When the button 2107 in the window 2105 shown in FIG. 91 is pressed, thesame window as the dialog box shown in FIG. 40 is displayed, soinformation can be registered using an external device such as the diskunit 108 or infrared communication section 105. When information to beregistered is designated, and “next” is selected, the window 2114 shownin FIG. 93 is displayed. The information to be registered can be eitheran image or character information.

The window 2114 shown in FIG. 93 is a window for displaying a preview ofinformation to be registered. In an area 2115, a preview of informationto be registered is displayed. A button 2116 is pressed to display apreview of information next to the information that is currently beingdisplayed. A button 2117 is pressed to register another information.When this button is pressed, the window shown in FIG. 91 is displayed. Abutton 2118 is pressed to cancel registration of the informationdisplayed in the area 2115. A button 2119 is pressed to register theinformation displayed in the area 2115.

When the button 2119 is pressed, a window 2120 shown in FIG. 94 isdisplayed.

The window 2120 is a window for setting a password requested whenanother user prints the information to be registered. This window has aten-key group 2121, and a desired password is input using the keys ofthe ten-key group 2121. As the password is input, the password isdisplayed in an area 2122. After completion of input, to acknowledge theinput password, a button 2123 is pressed. To cancel the input password,a button 2124 is pressed. To correct the input password, a button 2125is pressed to correct the password to be corrected using a cursor (notshown) on the area 2122.

When the button 2123 is pressed, a window 2126 shown in FIG. 95 isdisplayed.

The window 2126 is a window for setting the valid dates of theinformation to be registered. A button 2127 is pressed to validate theinformation until tomorrow. A button 2128 is pressed to validate theinformation for one week. A button 2129 is pressed to validate theinformation for one month. A button 2130 is pressed to display thepreceding window. A button 2131 is pressed to cancel setting of thevalid dates of the information to be registered.

When none of the buttons 2127, 2128, or 2129 is pressed, a window 2132shown in FIG. 96 is displayed.

The window 2132 is a window for causing the user to confirm theregistered contents of the information to be registered. Morespecifically, in an area 2133, the P-code, password, data amount, validdates corresponding to the information to be registered are displayed. Abutton 2134 is pressed to acknowledge the registered contents of theinformation to be registered. A button 2135 is pressed to display thepreceding window. A button 2136 is pressed to cancel the registeredcontents of the information to be registered. When the registeredcontents of the information to be registered are acknowledged, thenumber of registered data set in the user information table shown inFIG. 9 for the distribution service is incremented by one, and theP-code (P-code in the form of “telephone number-Subcode”) attached tothe registered information is added to the P-code list of thedistribution service information. In addition, the information displayedin the area 2133 is registered in the distribution information P-codetable shown in FIG. 11.

A window 2200 shown in FIG. 97 is displayed in accordance with thewindow displayed to execute various services including the informationservice, mail service, distribution service (reception of registeredinformation), personal information service, and distribution service(registration of information).

The window 2200 is a window for selecting a settlement method for acharge generated when the information service, mail service,distribution service (reception of registered information), personalinformation service, or distribution service (registration ofinformation) is executed. The charge is displayed at the lower left sideof the window. The user presses a button 2201 to pay the charge in cash,a button 2202 to pay using a credit card, a button 2203 to pay by onlinesettlement, a button 2204 to pay using a debit card, or a button 2205 topay using a prepaid card. A window (not shown) necessary for settlementis displayed as one of the buttons is pressed.

A button 2206 is pressed to display the preceding window. A button 2207is pressed to cancel execution of selection of the settlement method.

The above-described windows displayed to execute various servicesincluding the information service, mail service, distribution service(reception of registered information), personal information service, anddistribution service (registration of information) are examples of mainwindows displayed in executing operation. In the process of operation,various windows including a window for causing the user to confirmdisplayed contents and a window for input are appropriately displayed.

Next, processing flows for executing various services including theinformation service, mail service, distribution service (reception ofregistered information), personal information service, and distributionservice (registration of information) will be described sequentially.

In the following processing flows, the P service server 200 looks up thetables shown in FIGS. 7 to 15 and transmits information corresponding toa P-code received from the P service terminal 100 or data (property dataor preview image) necessary for the information to the P serviceterminal 100. In addition, in accordance with data such as a printinstruction for information corresponding to a P-code transmitted fromthe P service terminal 100, the contents of the tables shown in FIGS. 7to 15 are updated.

A processing flow for executing the information service will bedescribed first with reference to FIGS. 98A and 98B.

FIG. 98A is a flow chart showing a processing flow for executing theinformation service of this embodiment. FIG. 98B is a view showing theprocessing sequence in the service system for executing the informationservice of this embodiment.

In step S2501, (1) the user acquires a P-code by the portable terminal400. (2) The user moves to the P service terminal 100 while keeping theP-code stored in the portable terminal 400. (3) The P-code is input tothe P service terminal 100 (FIGS. 75, 76, 78, and 79). (4) P serviceterminal 100 transmits the input P-code and the terminal properties(e.g., location of installation and printer performance) of the Pservice terminal 100 itself to the P service server 200.

In step S2502, (5) the P service server 200 acquires informationcorresponding to the received P-code. In step S2503, (6) the P serviceserver 200 transmits the contents of the information, including theproperty data such as the service type, preview image, and the number ofpages, to the P service terminal 100. (7) The P service terminal 100displays the received contents of the information, including theproperty data, preview image, and the number of pages, on the touchpanel 104 (FIG. 80). If a print preview or setting for advertisements isinstructed, corresponding windows (FIGS. 81 and 82) are appropriatelydisplayed to receive inputs from the user.

In step S2504, (8) it is determined whether printing of the displayedinformation is instructed. (9) If cancel of printing is instructed (NOin step S2504), the P service terminal 100 transmits a messagerepresenting that cancel is instructed to the P service server 200, andprocessing is ended. On the other hand, (9) when printing is instructed(YES in step S2504), the P service terminal 100 requests the P serviceserver 200 to prepare print data of the information corresponding to theP-code, and the flow advances to step S2505.

In step S2505, it is determined whether the information to be printed ischarged for. (10) If the information is free (NO in step S2505), theflow advances to the next processing. (11) If the information is chargedfor (YES in step S2505), the flow advances to step S2506 to receive thesettlement method for settlement processing in printing from the user.(12) In accordance with the settlement method, the P service terminal100 and P service server 200 exchange necessary data (FIG. 97). The Pservice terminal 100 receives the print data of the information to beprinted from the P service server 200 and prints the data.

A processing flow for executing the mail service will be described nextwith reference to FIG. 99A.

FIG. 99A is a flow chart showing a processing flow for executing themail service of this embodiment. FIG. 99B is a view showing theprocessing sequence in the service system for executing the mail serviceof this embodiment. Assume that mail information to be output istransferred from the IP server (mail server) to the P service server inadvance.

In step S2601, (1) the user acquires a P-code by the portable terminal400. (2) The user moves to the P service terminal 100 while keeping theP-code stored in the portable terminal 400. (3) The user inputs theP-code to the P service terminal 100 (FIGS. 75, 76, 78, and 79). (4) TheP service terminal 100 transmits the input P-code and the terminalproperties (e.g., location of installation and printer performance) ofthe P service terminal 100 itself to the P service server 200.

In step S2602, (5) when the P service server 200 recognizes that thereceived P-code is a P-code for the mail service, (6) the P serviceterminal 100 requests the user to input the password (FIG. 77). In stepS2603, (7) the password is confirmed. If the password is not correct (NOin step S2603), the user is requested to re-input the password. However,if an incorrect password is input a plurality of number of times,processing is ended. If the password is correct (YES in step S2603), theflow advances to step S2604.

In step S2604, (8) the P service server 200 acquires mail correspondingto the received P-code. In step S2605, the P service server 200transmits contents of the acquired mail, including property data (senderand subject), to the P service terminal 100. (9) The P service terminal100 displays the received contents of mail including the property dataon the touch panel 104 (FIG. 83). If a print preview or option settingis instructed, corresponding windows (FIGS. 81 and 84) are appropriatelydisplayed to receive inputs from the user.

In step S2606, it is determined whether printing of the displayed mailis instructed. (11) If cancel of printing is instructed (NO in stepS2606), the P service terminal 100 transmits a message representing thatcancel is instructed to the P service server 200, and processing isended. On the other hand, (11) when printing is instructed (YES in stepS2606), the P service terminal 100 requests the P service server 200 toprepare print data of the mail corresponding to the P-code, and the flowadvances to step S2607.

In step S2607, it is determined whether the mail to be printed ischarged for. (12) If the mail is free (NO in step S2607), the flowadvances to the next processing. (13) If the mail is charged for (YES instep S2607), the flow advances to step S2608 to receive the settlementmethod for settlement processing in printing from the user. (14) Inaccordance with the settlement method, the P service terminal 100 and Pservice server 200 exchange necessary data (FIG. 97). In step S2609, theP service terminal 100 receives the print data of the mail to be printedfrom the P service server 200 and prints the data. When printing isended in step S2610, the printed mail information is automaticallydeleted from the P service server upon transmitting a print endnotification to the P service server.

A processing flow for executing the distribution service (reception ofregistered information) will be described with reference to FIG. 100A.

FIG. 100A is a flow chart showing a processing flow for executing thedistribution service (reception of registered information) of thisembodiment. FIG. 100B is a view showing the processing sequence in theservice system for executing the distribution service of thisembodiment.

In step S2701, (1) the user acquires a P-code by the portable terminal400. (2) The user moves to the P service terminal 100 while keeping theP-code stored in the portable terminal 400. (3) The P-code is input tothe P service terminal 100 (FIGS. 75 and 77 to 79). (4) The P serviceterminal 100 transmits the input P-code and the terminal properties(e.g., location and installation and printer performance) of the Pservice terminal 100 itself to the P service server 200.

In step S2702, (5) when the P service server 200 recognizes that thereceived P-code is a P-code for the distribution service (reception ofregistered information), (6) the P service terminal 100 requests theuser to input the password (FIG. 77). In step S2703, the password isconfirmed. The password to be confirmed herein is a password set forindividual distribution information. If the password is not correct (NOin step S2703), the user is requested to re-input the password. However,if an incorrect password is input a plurality of number of times,processing is ended. If the password is correct (YES in step S2703), theflow advances to step S2704.

In step S2704, (7) the P service server 200 acquires informationcorresponding to the received P-code. In step S2705, the P serviceserver 200 transmits contents of the acquired information, includingproperty data (information provider and subject), to the P serviceterminal 100. (8) The P service terminal 100 displays the receivedcontents of information including the property data on the touch panel104.

In step S2706, (9) it is determined whether printing of the displayedinformation is instructed. (10) If cancel of printing is instructed (NOin step S2706), the P service terminal 100 transmits a messagerepresenting that cancel is instructed to the P service server 200, andprocessing is ended. On the other hand, (10) when printing is instructed(YES in step S2706), the P service terminal 100 requests the P serviceserver 200 to prepare print data of the information corresponding to theP-code, and the flow advances to step S2707.

In step S2707, it is determined whether the information to be printed ischarged for. (11) If the information is free (NO in step S2707), theflow advances to the next processing. (12) If the information is chargedfor (YES in step S2707), the flow advances to step S2708 to receive thesettlement method for settlement processing in printing from the user.(13) In accordance with the settlement method, the P service terminal100 and P service server 200 exchange necessary data (FIG. 97). The Pservice terminal 100 receives the print data of the information to beprinted from the P service server 200 and prints the data.

A processing flow for executing the personal information service will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 101A.

FIG. 101A is a flow chart showing a processing flow for executing thepersonal information service of this embodiment. FIG. 101B is a viewshowing the processing sequence in the service system for executing thepersonal information service of this embodiment.

In step S2801, (1) the user acquires a P-code by the portable terminal400. (2) The user moves to the P service terminal 100 while keeping theP-code stored in the portable terminal 400. (3) The P-code is input tothe P service terminal 100 (FIGS. 75 and 77 to 79). (4) The P serviceterminal 100 transmits the input P-code and the terminal properties(e.g., location of installation and printer performance) of the Pservice terminal 100 itself to the P service server 200.

In step S2802, (5) when the P service server 200 recognizes that thereceived P-code is a P-code for the personal information service, (6)the P service terminal 100 requests the user to input the password (FIG.77). In step S2803, the password is confirmed. If the password is notcorrect (NO in step S2803), the user is requested to re-input thepassword. However, if an incorrect password is input a plurality ofnumber of times, processing is ended. If the password is correct (YES instep S2803), the flow advances to step S2804.

In step S2804, (7) the P service server 200 acquires a framecorresponding to the received P-code. In step S2805, (8) the P serviceserver 200 transmits contents of the acquired frame, including propertydata (information provider and subject), to the P service terminal 100,and (9) the P service terminal 100 displays the received contents of theframe including the property data on the touch panel 104 (FIG. 85). Whenregistration of new information or a change in registered information isinstructed, corresponding windows (FIGS. 86 to 88) are appropriatelydisplayed to receive inputs from the user.

In step S2806, (10) it is determined whether printing of the displayedframe is instructed. (11) If cancel of printing is instructed (NO instep S2806), the P service terminal 100 transmits a message representingthat cancel is instructed to the P service server 200, and processing isended. On the other hand, (11) when printing is instructed (YES in stepS2806), the P service terminal 100 requests the P service server 200 toprepare print data of the frame corresponding to the P-code, and theflow advances to step S2807. The print data of the frame is generatedfrom the registered P-code list registered in the personal informationservice P-code table shown in FIG. 12. Each P-code registered in theregistered P-code has been subjected to group setting in thisembodiment. For each P-code subjected to group setting, P-codeinformation having a maximum subcode of the attached section is acquiredfrom the IP information table shown in FIG. 7. All acquired P-codeinformation have link information to another P-code. Hence, informationto be printed can be acquired by searching for the P-code set as linkinformation again. If the date of registration of the acquiredinformation to be printed is before the final date of printing set inthe personal information service P-code table shown in FIG. 12, it isregarded that this information has been printed in the past, andtherefore the information is not printed. If all dates of registrationof individual information acquired from the P-code list registered inthe personal information service P-code table are before the final dateof printing, a message (not shown) representing that no information tobe printed is present is displayed, and processing is ended.

In step S2807, it is determined whether the frame to be printed ischarged for. (12) If the frame is free (NO in step S2807), the flowadvances to the next processing. (13) If the frame is charged for (YESin step S2807), the flow advances to step S2808 to receive thesettlement method for settlement processing in printing from the user.(14) In accordance with the settlement method, the P service terminal100 and P service server 200 exchange necessary data (FIG. 97). The Pservice terminal 100 receives the print data of the frame to be printedfrom the P service server 200 and prints the data.

A processing flow for executing the distribution service (registrationof information) will be described next with reference to FIG. 102A.

FIG. 102A is a flow chart showing a processing flow for executing thedistribution service (registration of information) of this embodiment.FIG. 102B is a view showing the processing sequence in the servicesystem for executing the distribution service (registration ofinformation) of this embodiment.

In step S2901, (1) the user selects the distribution service (FIG. 75).(2) In accordance with the selection, a window for requesting the userto input a P-code is displayed (FIG. 89). The P-code is input to the Pservice terminal 100. The P service terminal 100 transmits the inputP-code and the terminal properties (e.g., location of installation andprinter performance) of the P service terminal 100 itself to the Pservice server 200.

In step S2902, (3) when the P service server 200 recognizes that thereceived P-code is a P-code for the distribution service (registrationof information), the P service terminal 100 requests the user to inputthe password (FIG. 90). If the input P-code is unregistered, passwordinput is not requested. In step S2903, the password is confirmed. If thepassword is not correct (NO in step S2903), the user is requested tore-input the password. However, if an incorrect password is input aplurality of number of times, processing is ended. If the password iscorrect (YES in step S2903), the flow advances to step S2904.

In step S2904, (4) the user inputs information to be registered (FIGS.91 and 92). In step S2905, (5) the P service terminal 100 displayscontents of the input information on the touch panel 104 (FIG. 93).

In step S2906, it is determined whether the displayed contents areacknowledged. If the contents are not acknowledged (NO in step S2906),the flow returns to step S2904 to request the user to re-input theinformation. If the contents are acknowledged (YES in step S2906), (7)the P service terminal 100 transmits the input information and theproperty data of the information, including the data type and the numberof pages, to the P service server 200 and requests the P service serverto issue a P-code. (8) In accordance with this request, the P serviceserver 200 starts making a P-code correspond to the received informationand the property data of the information, including the data type andthe number of pages. The user is requested to input a password to be setfor the input information (FIG. 94).

In step S2908, (9) it is determined whether the input password can beset. If the password cannot be set (NO in step S2908), the flow returnsto step S2907 to request the user to re-input the password. If thepassword can be set (YES in step S2908), the flow advances to step S2909to input the valid dates of the input information (FIG. 95). In stepS2910, (10) the P service server registers the input information and thepassword and valid dates therefor and issues a P-code corresponding tothe information. The P-code to be issued has a combination of anumerical value representing a “telephone number” and a numerical valuerepresenting an “attached number (subcode)” and also has a form of anumber sequence, “telephone number-attached number”, with apredetermined symbol (“-” in this case) inserted between the twonumerical value sequences. The attached number is 1 when the number ofdistribution service information in the user information table shown inFIG. 9 is 0. When the number of distribution service information is not0, pieces of registered distribution service information searched aresearched from the P-code list, and the minimum attached number of aP-code that has expired is used as an attached number. If a registereddistribution service information that has expired is not present, “thenumber of distribution service information+1” is used as an attachednumber. In step S2911, (11) the P service terminal 100 displays theregistered contents (P-code, password, data amount, and valid dates) ofthe registered information on the touch panel 104 (FIG. 96).

Details of processing in step S2502 in FIG. 98A, step S2604 in FIG. 99A,step S2704 in FIG. 100A, and step S2804 in FIG. 101A will be describedwith reference to FIGS. 103A and 103B.

<Procedure of Acquiring Information>

FIGS. 103A and 103B are flow charts for explaining the procedure ofacquiring IP information, mail data, and distribution data in the Pservice server 200 of this embodiment. First in step S3201, it isdetermined that the P-code input in the P service terminal 100 is an IPP-code. This can be determined on the basis of the state of the firstbit of the P-code, as described above with reference to FIGS. 17 and 18.When the P-code is an IP P-code, the flow advances to step S3202 todetermine whether contents corresponding to the P-code are present inthe P service server 200. This determination can be done by checking thestate of the 17th bit, as shown in FIG. 18.

When the P service server 200 has the contents of the IP informationrepresented by the P-code, the flow advances from step S3202 to stepS3203 to acquire the IP information and its properties in accordancewith entity file information registered in the IP informationregistration table shown in FIG. 7.

If it is determined in step S3202 that the contents of the IPinformation are not present in the P service server 200 (i.e., the IPinformation has its contents on the IP server side), the flow advancesto step S3204. In step S3204, the class category value and external codeare extracted from the input P-code. In this processing, the values ofthe 18th to 20th bits are extracted to obtain a class category value,and the external code section is extracted on the basis of the classcategory value. For example, when the class category value is 3 (mediumscale), the values of the 21st to 36th bits correspond to the externalcode, as shown in FIG. 18.

When the class category and external code are obtained in the abovemanner, a corresponding URL is acquired by looking up the P-code usetable (to be described later) shown in FIG. 72 in step S3205. The URLacquired at this time is the address of the IP server having thecontents of the P-code. Hence, in step S3206, the IP server is accessedaccording to the URL obtained in step S3205 to transmit the P-code. TheIP server obtains contents and properties corresponding to thetransmitted P-code by looking up the P-code registration table andtransmits them to the P service server 200.

In step S3207, the contents and properties transmitted from the IPserver in the above-described way are received, so the IP information isacquired.

When the input P-code is a personal P-code, the flow advances from stepS3201 to step S3220. In step S3220, contents specified by the P-code areacquired by looking up the P-code table shown in FIGS. 10 to 12. If theattached section is “#Subcode”, the flow advances from step S3221 tostep S3224 to obtain corresponding mail data and its properties.

When the data attached section is “-Subcode”, the flow advances fromstep S3222 to step S3225 to acquire distribution data uponauthentication by a password.

When the attached section is “##Subcode”, the flow advances from stepS3223 to step S3226 to obtain a P-code list (frame) in the personalinformation service. In step S3227, acquisition of IP information (theabove-described processing in steps S3202 to S3207) is executed usingthe P-code registered in the P-code list.

<Advertisement Search Processing>

In the P service system, when a user obtains a print output from the Pservice terminal 100, predetermined advertisement information isautomatically attached to the print unless the user or informationprovider rejects it. Processing of searching for advertisementinformation to be attached will be described below.

FIG. 104 is a flow chart of advertisement search processing.

In step S3001, a keyword list of information of the information serviceor personal information service, mail of the mail service, orinformation of the distribution service is prepared for printing. Thiskeyword list is prepared in the following way in accordance with thecontents of each service.

For the information service or personal information service, keywordsare extracted by looking up the properties of IP information, propertiesof user registration of the user, and properties of the P serviceterminal 100 for printing.

For the mail service, keywords are extracted by looking up theproperties of user registration of the user and properties of the Pservice terminal 100 for printing.

For the distribution service, keywords are extracted by looking up theproperties of the P service terminal 100 for printing, and also theproperties of user registration of the user when the user has done userregistration.

In any service, the keyword list can be prepared in units ofinformation. For example, for the information service, the keyword listof the properties of IP information, the keyword list of the propertiesof user registration, and the keyword list of the properties of the Pservice terminal 100 can be individually prepared. This will bedescribed below in more detail by exemplifying the information service.

FIGS. 105A to 105E are views showing examples of keyword lists for IPinformation.

For example, FIG. 105A shows a keyword list of IP information requestedby the user in the information service. As a keyword, “marriage” isextracted. In FIG. 105B, keywords are extracted from the registeredmatters of user registration. In FIG. 105C, a keyword is extracted fromthe properties (e.g., location of installation) of the P serviceterminal.

Each keyword has a numerical value of “weight”. This numerical value isgiven to each keyword in consideration of universally accepted idea onthe basis of the contents and used to define priority of advertisementinformation in advertisement search processing. A numerical value with“+” means that IP information or the like including the keyword haspositive contents when viewed from the universally accepted idea. Anumerical value with “−” means that the information has negativecontents. The magnitude of the numerical value can be proportional tothe degree of importance.

In the P service system, in addition to these keyword lists, a highestpriority keyword list and lowest priority keyword list set on the systemside can be prepared.

The highest priority keyword list is a list of keywords corresponding toan advertisement that informs, e.g., a special campaign held on the Pservice system. An example of this keyword list is shown in FIG. 105D.

The lowest priority keyword list is a list of keywords with which atleast one advertisement information can be searched for and is preparedto prevent advertisement search processing from searching noadvertisement information. Hence, as a lowest priority keyword, akeyword having wide meaning is used.

In step S3002, using each keyword as a search key on the basis of thekeyword lists prepared in step S3001, advertisement information having akeyword matching the search keyword is searched for. In step S3003, thesearch result list is prepared.

FIGS. 106A to 106E are examples of search result lists.

The search result lists are prepared in units of the above-describedfive keyword lists.

FIG. 106A shows a search result list corresponding to the keyword listof IP information (FIG. 105A), in which five pieces of advertisementinformation are searched for by the keyword “marriage”. In this list,“weight” is a numerical value given to the keyword in each advertisementinformation and has the same meaning as the above-described “weight”.The “degree of matching” is a numeral value obtained by multiplying thenumerical value of “weight” of one keyword by that of the other keyword.More specifically, in the keyword list of IP information, since theweight of “marriage” is “+10”, the columns of “degree of matching” inFIG. 106A are filled with results obtained by multiplying “+10” by eachof weights “+10”, “−5”, “+3”, “−4”, and “+7” of the keywords ofadvertisement information.

In this advertisement search processing, an advertisement having alarger value of “degree of matching” has a higher priority of insertion.As the value becomes small, the priority becomes low.

As shown in FIGS. 106A and 106B, a single keyword has many weights. Thisis because advertisement information including the keyword “marriage”may be an advertisement of a wedding ceremony hall or an advertisementof divorce consultation. If they are regarded to be equivalent,inappropriate advertisement information may be inserted into contents ofinformation to be printed.

In processing of this embodiment, if negative advertisement informationis searched for in correspondence with positive IP information, valueswith signs “+” and “−” are multiplied. The degree of matching has anegative value, and the priority can be made low. If negativeadvertisement information is searched for in correspondence withnegative IP information (e.g., an advertisement of funeral and anadvertisement of a hospital), values with signs “−” and “−” aremultiplied. The degree of matching has a positive value, and thepriority becomes high.

In step S3004, the pieces of advertisement information in the searchresult list are rearranged by looking up the properties of advertisementinformation.

In rearranging the pieces of information, on the basis of the propertiesof each advertisement information, a value is added to or subtractedfrom the degree of matching calculated in advance. For example, anadvertisement whose term of insertion has expired or charge exceeds themaximum charge must not be inserted, and a predetermined numerical valuecan be subtracted from the calculated degree of matching. On the otherhand, for an advertisement whose limitations on printing (designated inthe dialog box shown in FIG. 65 or 66) are lenient, a predeterminednumerical value can be added to the calculated degree of matching forevaluation. This is because such advertisement information can cope withan arbitrary layout and has a higher degree of freedom for printing.

To evenly give opportunities for insertion while giving priority to anadvertisement with low insertion frequency, a numerical valuecorresponding to the insertion frequency may be added to the degree ofmatching.

In addition, a predetermined numerical value may be added to the degreeof matching with priority given to an advertisement for which a largecharge is paid from the advertisement provider to the operator of the Pservice. An advertisement provider who pays a large charge should betreated favorably. This also easily excuses the user compensation forthe received service.

With priority given to an advertisement directly associated withinformation desired by the user, a predetermined numerical value may beadded to the degree of matching for the purpose of increasing thebusiness chance of the advertisement provider.

In this way, values are added to or subtracted from the degrees ofmatching to calculate final numerical values. FIGS. 107A to 107E showlists of advertisement information rearranged in descending order of themagnitudes of values. As is apparent from FIGS. 107A to 107E, the degreeof matching is not always proportional to the numerical value of“weight”.

In step S3005, a layout example of advertisement information isprepared. A plurality of layout examples are prepared by picking uppieces of advertisement information from the search result lists shownin FIGS. 107A to 107E in descending order of priority.

Priorities may be defined in units of search result lists shown in FIGS.107A to 107E. For example, first advertisement information may be pickedup from the search result list of the highest priority list (FIG. 107D),and then pieces of advertisement information may be sequentially pickedup from the search result list of IP information (FIG. 107A), the searchresult list of user registration (FIG. 107B), the search result list ofthe P service terminal (FIG. 107C), and the search result list of thelowest priority list (FIG. 107E).

In step S3006, one layout example that is supposed to be mostappropriate is selected from the layout examples of advertisementinformation in consideration of the user's desire, print size, and totalcharge. The P-code and layout conditions of the advertisementinformation are specified and temporarily stored, and advertisementsearch processing is ended.

<Operation of Portable Terminal>

The P-code extraction function and P-code transmission function of theportable terminal 400 according to this embodiment will be describednext.

FIG. 108 is a flow chart for explaining P-code extraction processing ofthe portable terminal of this embodiment. This processing is executedwhen the contents of mail received are being displayed on the portableterminal 400.

In steps S3101 to S3103, it is determined whether the cursor keys 401and 402 of the portable terminal 400 are operated, the block designationkey 404 is operated, and the P-code key 403 is operated.

When the cursor key is operated in the mail displayed state, the flowadvances from step S3101 to step S3105 to determine whether blockdesignation is progressing. The block designation mode is set in stepS3109 (to be described later) by operating the block designation key. Ifthe block designation mode is not set, the flow advances to step S3106to move the cursor in units of characters in the display of mailcontents. If the block designation mode is set, a region where thecursor has moved is set as a selected region, and display of thatportion is inverted. The flow advances to step S3104. If mail displaycontinues, the flow returns to step S3101. If mail display is ended,this processing is ended.

When the block designation key 404 is operated, the flow advances fromstep S3102 to step S3108 to determine whether the block designation modehas already been set. If NO in step S3108, the flow advances to stepS3109 to switch the operation mode to the block designation mode. If YESin step S3108, the flow advances to step S3110 to cancel the blockdesignation mode. That is, the block designation key functions as anON/OFF switch for the block designation mode. After that, the flowadvances to step S3104. If mail display continues, the flow returns tostep S3101. If mail display is ended, this processing is ended.

When the P-code key 403 is operated, the flow advances from step S3101to step S3111 to determine whether a selected region in inverted displayis present in the currently displayed character string. If YES in stepS3111, the flow advances to step S3112 to store the selected region inthe P-code storage area 422 c. If NO in step S3111, the flow advances tostep S3113 to automatically select a P-code. After that, the flowadvances to step S3104. If mail display continues, the flow returns tostep S3101. If mail display is ended, this processing is ended.

Automatic P-code extraction in step S3113 will be described. FIG. 109 isa flow chart for explaining automatic P-code extraction processing instep S3113.

In step S3120, a character string enclosed by two tags <Pcode> and</Pcode> is searched for. When a character string enclosed by the twotags <Pcode> and </Pcode> is searched for, the flow advances from stepS3121 to step S3122 to store the detected character string in the P-codestorage area 422 c. This processing is executed for the entire mail thatis being displayed currently (step S3123).

An operation mode for executing the above processing for all mail dataheld in the memory of the portable terminal 400 at once may be provided.

In the above way, the portable terminal 400 of this embodiment can storea P-code sent as mail in the P-code storage area 422 c. Even when theuser is notified of a P-code not by electronic data such as mail but bya magazine or newspaper, the P-code may be input using the P-code keyand dial keys and held in the P-code storage area 422 c. According tothe portable terminal 400 of this embodiment, the P-code stored in theP-code storage area 422 c can be input to the P service terminal 100 bycommunication with the P service terminal 100.

FIG. 110 is a flow chart for explaining P-code transmission processingby the portable terminal of this embodiment. This processing is executedwhen the displayed contents of the portable terminal 400 are in theinitial state.

In step S3141, when operation of the P-code key 403 is detected, theflow advances to step S3142 to determine whether a P-code is stored inthe P-code storage area 422 c. If no P-code is stored in the P-codestorage area 422 c, the flow advances to step S3143 to display a messagerepresenting that no P-code is present on the display 410, and thisprocessing is ended.

If YES in step S3142, the flow advances to step S3144 to startcommunication processing with the P service terminal 100 using theinfrared communication section 405. It is determined in step S3145whether the P service terminal 100 is ready, and processing waits untilthe P service terminal 100 is ready. If the wait time exceeds apredetermined time, it is determined that time is out. The flow advancesfrom step S3146 to step S3147 to display a message representing acommunication error on the display 410, and processing is ended.

When it is confirmed that the P service terminal 100 is ready, theP-code stored in the P-code storage area 422 c is transmitted to the Pservice terminal 100 in step S3148.

When transmission is ended, it is inquired on the display 410 whetherthe P-code currently stored in the P-code storage area 422 c is to beerased. If the user instructs to erase the P-code, the P-code is erasedin step S3151.

The above processing can also be applied to a case wherein the portableterminal 400 is connected to the portable terminal connector 106 of theP service terminal 100.

In the above processing, transmission is started by the key operation ofthe portable terminal 400. Instead, a P-code may be automatically inputto the P service terminal 100 under the control of the P serviceterminal 100 without operating any keys on the portable terminal side.FIG. 111 is a flow chart for explaining another form of P-codetransmission processing by the portable terminal of this embodiment.

In step S3161, when it is detected that the portable terminal isconnected to the portable terminal connector 106 (or when apredetermined signal is sent to the P service terminal through theinfrared communication section by operating the P-code key),communication between the P service terminal and the portable terminalstarts in step S3162.

When a P-code request is input from the P service terminal 100 bycommunication, the flow advances from step S3163 to step S3165 todetermine whether a P-code is stored in the P-code storage area 422 c.If no P-code is stored, the flow advances to step S3167 to notify the Pservice terminal that no P-code is present. If a P-code is present inthe P-code storage area 422 c, the flow advances to step S3166 totransmit the stored P-code to the P service terminal 100.

The subsequent processing in steps S3168 to S3170 is the same as theabove-described processing in steps S3149 to S3151.

As described above, according to the portable terminal of thisembodiment, a P-code can be extracted from mail, held in the memory, andtransmitted to the P service terminal. Hence, any input error inoperation of the P service terminal 100 can be prevented, and theoperability is largely improved.

Other Embodiment

The present invention may be applied to a system constitutedby aplurality of devices (e.g., a host computer, an interface device, areader, a printer, and the like) or an apparatus comprising a singledevice (e.g., a copying machine, a facsimile apparatus, or the like).

The object of the present invention is realized even by supplying astorage medium storing software program codes for realizing thefunctions of the above-described embodiment to a system or apparatus,and causing the computer (or a CPU or an MPU) of the system or apparatusto read out and execute the program codes stored in the storage medium.

In this case, the program codes read out from the storage medium realizethe functions of the above-described embodiment by themselves, and thestorage medium storing the program codes constitutes the presentinvention.

As a storage medium for supplying the program codes, a floppy disk, ahard disk, an optical disk, a magnetooptical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, amagnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like can beused.

The functions of the above-described embodiment are realized not onlywhen the readout program codes are executed by the computer but alsowhen the OS (Operating System) running on the computer performs part orall of actual processing on the basis of the instructions of the programcodes.

The functions of the above-described embodiment are also realized whenthe program codes readout from the storage medium are written in thememory of a function expansion board inserted into the computer or afunction expansion unit connected to the computer, and the CPU of thefunction expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or allof the actual processing on the basis of the instructions of the programcodes.

As many apparently widely different embodiments of the present inventioncan be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, it isto be understood that the invention is not limited to the specificembodiments thereof except as defined in the appended claims.

1. A method of controlling an information processing apparatusaccessible to a first database and a second database, the first databasestoring a plurality of pieces of first information and their propertiesassociated with unique identification codes, and the second databasestoring a plurality of pieces of second information and theirproperties, said method comprising the steps of: receiving a uniqueidentification code from an external communication apparatus; retrievinga piece of the first information and its property corresponding to thereceived unique identification code from the first database in a firstretrieval step; retrieving for a plurality of pieces of the secondinformation and their properties from the second database based on theproperty of the retrieved piece of the first information in a secondretrieval step; setting a printing priority on each of the retrievedpieces of the second information based on the properties of theretrieved pieces of the second information; preparing a plurality ofprinting layout examples for printing the retrieved pieces of the secondinformation to be printed with the retrieved piece of the firstinformation, each of the printing layout examples including at least oneof the retrieved pieces of the second information based on the printingpriorities; selecting one printing layout example from the plurality ofprinting layout examples; and creating printing data for printing theretrieved piece of the first information and the at least one of theretrieved pieces of the second information according to the selectedprinting layout example.
 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein theproperties of the plurality of pieces of the second information includeat least one of limitations on printing, term for printing, andopportunities for printing.
 3. The method according to claim 1, whereinthe second information contains arbitrary advertisement information. 4.The method according to claim 1, further comprising a step of settingwhether the second information is to be printed or not, and wherein saidsecond retrieval step is performed in accordance with the setting.
 5. Aninformation processing apparatus accessible to a first database and asecond database, the first database storing a plurality of pieces offirst information and their properties associated with uniqueidentification codes, and the second database storing a plurality ofpieces of second information and their properties, said apparatuscomprising: receiving means for receiving a unique identification codefrom an external communication apparatus; first retrieval means forretrieving a piece of the first information and its propertycorresponding to the received unique identification code from the firstdatabase; second retrieval means for retrieving for a plurality ofpieces of the second information and their properties from the seconddatabase based on the property of the retrieved piece of the firstinformation; setting means for setting a printing priority on each ofthe retrieved pieces of the second information based on the propertiesof the retrieved pieces of the second information; preparation means forpreparing a plurality of printing layout examples for printing theretrieved pieces of the second information to be printed with theretrieved piece of the first information, each of the printing layoutexamples including at least one of the retrieved pieces of the secondinformation based on the printing priorities; selection means forselecting one printing layout example from the plurality of printinglayout examples; and creating means for creating printing data forprinting the retrieved piece of the first information and the at leastone of the retrieved pieces of the second information according to theselected printing layout example.
 6. The system according to claim 5,wherein the properties of the plurality of pieces of the secondinformation are registered and comprise at least one of limitations onprinting, term for printing, and opportunities for printing.
 7. Thesystem according to claim 5, wherein the second information containsarbitrary advertisement information.
 8. The system according to claim 5,further comprising means for setting whether the second information isto be printed or not, and wherein said second retrieval means performsin accordance with the setting.
 9. A computer-readable storage mediumwhich stores computer-executable program code for controlling aninformation processing apparatus accessible to a first database and asecond database, the first database storing a plurality of pieces offirst information and their properties associated with uniqueidentification codes, and the second database storing a plurality ofpieces of second information and their properties, the program codecomprising code for performing the steps of: receiving a uniqueidentification code from an external communication apparatus; retrievinga piece of the first information and its property corresponding to thereceived unique identification code from the first database in a firstretrieval step; retrieving a plurality of pieces of the secondinformation and their properties from the second database based on theproperty of the retrieved piece of the first information in a secondretrieval step; setting a printing priority on each of the retrievedpieces of the second information based on the properties of theretrieved pieces of the second information; preparing a plurality ofprinting layout examples for printing the retrieved pieces of the secondinformation to be printed with the retrieved piece of the firstinformation, each of the printing layout examples including at least oneof the retrieved pieces of the second information based on the printingpriorities; selecting one printing layout example from the plurality ofprinting layout examples; and creating printing data for printing theretrieved piece of the first information and the at least one of theretrieved pieces of the second information according to the selectedprinting layout example.